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FEDERATION  OF  WOMEN'S  CLUBS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://archive.org/details/historyofnorthcaOOcott 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


NORTH  CAROLINA  FEDERATION 
OF  WOMEN'S  CLUBS 

1901-1925 

BY 

SALLIE  SOUTHALL  COTTEN 


Raleigh 

Edwards  St  Broughton  Printing  Company 

1925 


COPYRIGHT,  1925 
BY  THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  FEDERATION 
OF  WOMEN'S  CLUBS 


THE  NORTH  CAROLINA 
FEDERATION 

The  Federation  we  have  formed,  no  selfish  aim  shall  blight, 
Together  we  will  ever  stand  for  Progress  and  for  Right, 
May   Wisdom   guide   us   as  we   strive   to   make   the   earth 

less  sad, 
While  high  ideals  shall  lead  us  on,  and  Love  shall  make 

life  glad. 

Sallie  Sottthall  Cotten. 


to 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.     The  Awakening  of  Womanhood 1 

II.     State  Organization 8 

III.  First  Convention 10 

IV.  Second  Convention 13 

V.     Third  Convention 15 

VI.     Fourth  Convention 19 

VII.     Fifth  Convention 21 

VIII.     Sixth  Convention 25 

IX.     Seventh  Convention 29 

X.     Eighth  Convention 34 

XI.     Ninth    Convention 39 

XII.     Tenth  Convention 47 

XIII.  Eleventh  Convention 55 

XIV.  Twelfth  Convention 68 

XV.     Thirteenth    Convention 77 

XVI.     Fourteenth  Convention 87 

XVII.     Fifteenth    Convention 100 

XVIII.     Sixteenth    Convention 117 

XIX.     State  and  General   Councils 129 

XX.     Seventeenth   Convention .135 

XXI.     Eighteenth  Convention 139 

XXII.     Nineteenth  Convention 148 

XXIII.  Twentieth  Convention 158 

XXIV.  Double  Council  Meeting 170 

XXV.     Twenty-first   Convention 172 

XXVI.     Twenty-second    Convention 186 

XXVII.     Twenty-third  Convention  200 


CHAPTER  I 
THE  AWAKENING  OF  WOMANHOOD 

What  lias  been  known  as  the  Woman's  Movement, 
was  a  revolution — bloodless  but  not  purposeless.  A 
new  era  in  world  history  was  imminent  but  not  yet 
visible.  A  psychic  Call  from  the  Infinite  stirred  the 
soul  of  womanhood,  and  unconsciously  woman  responded 
to  the  call  without  analyzing  or  understanding  it.  It 
was  a  call  for  emergence  from  selfish  individuality 
into  broader  service  to  the  world.  It  was  not  confined 
to  any  one  country  or  people.  While  Susan  B.  An- 
thony in  the  United  States  was  struggling  with  pre- 
judice in  her  demands  for  justice  to  women,  Olive 
Schreiner  in  South  Africa  was  writing  and  clamoring 
for  the  emancipation  of  women  from  the  trammels  of 
the  past. 

Everywhere  woman  while  absorbed  by  the  duties  of 
motherhood  and  home-making,  felt,  without  under- 
standing, the  inner  stirrings  of  undeveloped  powers, 
but  was  afraid  of  the  uncharted  seas  of  effort  which 
began  to  be  visible  to  her.  The  psychic  call  had  come 
to  earth  in  ages  past  but  woman  could  not  respond 
because  she  was  not  educated,  nor  prepared  for  new 
duties,  but  this  time  a  more  educated  womanhood  felt 
the  call  and  answered  as  best  it  could.  In  the  past, 
education  had  not  been  considered  essential  to  feminine 
virtues  and  very  slowly  has  woman  attained  to  a 
higher  education.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  woman's 
activities  beyond  her  own  home  began  with  an  effort 


2  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

for  more  knowledge,  more  culture,  and  a  demand  for 
universal  education.  From  the  Garden  of  Eden  to  the 
present  day  the  Tree  of  Knowledge  has  allured  her,  and 
her  persistent  application  of  her  knowledge  to  the  bet- 
terment of  human  life  has  contributed  much  to  the 
onward  march   of   civilization. 

When  the  Woman's  Movement  began  to  express 
itself,  Knowledge  and  wider  experience  were  her  great- 
est needs,  and  intuitively  she  sought  more  education. 
Fortunately  it  was  the  least  offensive  to  old  ideals  and 
she  was  not  hindered  in  her  pursuit  of  Knowledge 
until  now  almost  all  barriers  to  her  advance  have  been 
removed. 

Educated  womanhood  is  absolutely  essential  to  de- 
velop "the  female  of  the  species"  into  proper  mates 
for  educated  manhood,  and  for  the  fulfillment  through 
them  of  God's  law  of  evolution  which  forever  calls  for 
higher  types.  Reproduction  is  not  evolution,  for  evolu- 
tion means  gradual  and  permanent  improvement  of  the 
race,  which  can  only  come  through  higher  spiritual 
types  of  both  men  and  women.  Only  together  are  they 
one.  The  restrictive  conventions  of  her  isolated  indi- 
viduality gave  to  the  women  of  the  past  what  would 
now  be  called  an  "inferiority  complex,"  which  was 
simply  the  habit  of  sex-submission,  from  which  she  will 
ultimately  be  emancipated.  Many  sex  discriminations 
continue  to  exist,  in  the  law,  and  in  the  social  life  but 
they  will  ultimately  be  removed,  as  many  have  already 
been  removed  by  man's  voluntary  action.  Individual 
security  has  yielded  to  the  call  for  race  progress,  and 
in  that  progress  woman  is  a  large  factor. 


The  Awakening  of  Womanhood  3 

Without  knowing  why,  woman  has  started  on  the 
adventure  of  self-development,  facing  with  courage 
past  race  habits  and  traditions,  masculine  ridicule — 
once  so  hard  to  bear — and  all  the  handicaps  incidental 
to  the  attainment  of  an  acknowledged  equality  with 
man.  Man,  while  leading  and  dominating  the  animal 
kingdom  yet  continues  to  belong  to  it,  yet  nowhere 
else  in  the  animal  kingdom  is  the  female  subservient 
to  the  male,  and  the  inconsistency  is  beginning  to  dawn 
upon  him.  So  when  the  Divine  Discontent,  like  a 
spirituous  ferment,  stirred  the  souls  of  many  women 
and  urged  to  action,  the  result  became  organized 
womanhood.  The  great  need  for  strength  and  coopera- 
tion led  to  the  forming  of  many  organizations  among 
women,  all  of  them  being  for  the  benefit  of  humanity. 
The  demand  for  suffrage,  long  ridiculed  into  obscurity, 
finally  began  to  receive  respect  until  Justice  prevailed. 

The  Suffrage  Association  and  the  Woman's  Chris- 
tian Temperance  Union  were  the  leading  pioneers.  The 
Club  Movement  followed.  First  derided,  then  tolerated 
as  a  passing  fad,  then  acknowledged  as  good  for  women 
and  for  the  world,  the  club  movement  moved  onward, 
gaining  influence  and  respect,  though  it  has  required 
years  of  faithful  striving  to  bring  it  to  its  present 
status  of  respectability  and  usefulness.  Man  has  been 
hard  to  convince  of  the  difference  between  men's  clubs 
and  women's  clubs — one  being  for  pleasure  and  self 
indulgence — the  other  for  culture  and  reform.  Man 
dislikes  the  word  Reform.  It  intimates  a  lack  of  per- 
fection which  he  is  slow  to  acknowledge.  Now  the 
leaven    has    acted    and    new    clubs    formed    for    men's 


4  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

activities  all  have  altruistic  objects  and  follow  lines  of 
public  benefit  and  patriotic  stimulus.  That  women 
should  develop  initiative  of  their  own  and  have  cour- 
age to  follow  that  initiative  once  seemed  absurd,  but 
results  have  removed  the  fear  that  clubs  would  de- 
moralize women  and  few  are  left  who  ridicule  the  work 
of  organized  womanhood.  Organizations  of  women  for 
church  work  and  for  literary  culture  had  existed  in 
many  places,  but  the  Woman's  Club  sprang  from  the 
need  for  wider  fields  of  activity  felt  by  the  more  highly 
educated  womanhood  developed  by  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury. Perhaps  no  one  will  ever  know  why  so  many 
organizations  calling  themselves  "clubs,"  widely  scat- 
tered should  have  been  formed  in  a  limited  number  of 
years,  each  following  its  own  individual  line  of  action, 
and  all  with  a  view  to  the  altruistic  solution  of  local 
problems,  yet  with  no  intention  of  concert  of-  action 
and  no  consciousness  of  the  power  to  be  found  in  united 
effort. 

Sorosis  of  New  York  City  was  the  first  woman's 
club  to  become  the  focus  of  the  limelight  of  publicity 
and  that  club  was  the  first  public  protest  against  sex 
discrimination  which  had  no  sensible  foundation.  In 
1868,  Charles  Dickens,  the  famous  author,  made  a  tour 
of  the  United  States.  On  the  eve  of  his  departure  for 
England  the  New  York  Press  Club  gave  him  a  com- 
plimentary dinner.  Some  brave  and  brainy  women, 
themselves  doing  press  work  and  other  literary  work, 
asked  permission  to  hear  the  toasts  and  after  dinner 
speeches.  Such  a  natural  desire!  Such  a  simple  re- 
quest !    Not  to  sit  at  the  banquet  table  but  in  the  gallery 


The  Awakening  of  Womanhood  5 

or  ante-room  and  listen  to  the  wisdom  of  the  Lords  of 
Creation.  The  managers  of  the  banquet  were  horrified 
at  the  effrontery  of  the  women  and  denied  their  re- 
quest. Having  prepared  the  tables  and  seen  that  all 
was  ready  the  proper  thing  for  them  to  do  was  to  go 
home.  Rebellion  was  inevitable.  "We  will  form  a 
club  of  our  own"  said  brilliant  Jenny  June  Croly,  her- 
self a  reporter  and  writer  of  note.  "We  will  give  a 
banquet  to  ourselves,  make  all  the  speeches  ourselves, 
and  not  invite  a  single  man."  So  they  did,  and  that  ex- 
plains why  women's  organizations  are  called  clubs. 
Sorosis  (from  Soror  a  sister)  was  duly  organized,  and 
when  the  banquet  was  given  the  hearts  of  the  women 
relented,  and  all  resentment  dead,  they  invited  the  men, 
who  came,  and  learned  that  women  could  speak  well 
and  sensibly. 

The  turn  of  the  tide  was  marked. 

Twenty-one  years  later  (1889)  Sorosis  decided  to  cele 
brate  its  birthday  by  inviting  all  Women's  Clubs  in  the 
United  States  to  a  banquet,  which  should  be  made  the 
occasion  of  uniting  them  all  in  a  national  body.  The 
response  was  a  surprise  even  to  Sorosis  itself.  The 
invitation  to  the  banquet  in  ~New  York  was  sent  to 
ninety-seven  widely  scattered  clubs.  Delegates  from 
sixty-one  of  those  clubs  appeared  for  the  meeting  and 
letters  of  regret  were  received  from  six  others. 

The  meeting  was  a  revelation  to  every  woman  present. 
To  become  united  in  effort,  to  feel  the  strength  which 
comes  from  union  of  purpose  and  activity,  gave  to  each 
delegate  courage  and  enthusiasm  for  their  declared 
purpose  of  working  for  all  women. 


6  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

At  that  New  York  meeting  the  General  Federation 
of  Women's  Clubs  was  formed,  composed  entirely  of 
individual  clubs,  which  continued  to  be  organized  in 
many  states,  though  the  work  was  sporadic  rather  than 
concentrated,  and  no  one  had  even  dreamed  of  such 
a  thing  as  a  State  Federation  of  Clubs. 

The  first  clubs  were  literary,  but  all  eventually  evo- 
luted  into  broader  lines  of  service.  Women  felt  the 
need  of  higher  culture  and  broader  experience.  Club 
life  taught  them  discretion,  self-control,  self-reliance, 
forbearance  toward  others,  eliminated  the  tendency  to 
gossip  by  supplying  something  better  to  do,  and  laid 
the  foundation  for  a  sisterhood  of  women  in  the  future. 

Maine  has  the  honor  of  having  first  had  a  vision  of 
greater  strength  from  local  union,  and  in  September, 
1892,  formed  the  first  State  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs,  which  immediately  joined  the  General  Federa- 
tion. Utah  was  next  to  follow  and  then  Iowa  with  45 
clubs  in  membership.  Like  an  epidemic  the  State 
Federation  idea  spread  from  state  to  state.  In  six 
years,  thirty  State  Federations  were  formed  and  all 
joined  the  General  Federation.  Naturally  some  con- 
fusion resulted  as  the  Constitution  only  provided  for 
individual  clubs,  and  the  respective  representation  from 
single  clubs  and  State  Federations  necessitated  thought 
and  changes  in  the  Constitution  of  the  National  body. 
Problems  were  solved  as  they  developed  and  finally 
every  state  was  represented  in  the  General  Federation 
by  its  own  State  Federation  and  the  individual  clubs. 

Possibly  the  most  outstanding  recognition  of  the  value 
of  Women's  Clubs,  in  those  early  days,  was  when  the 


The  Awakening  of  Womanhood  7 

TJ.  S.  Government  sent  Miss  Helen  Varick  Boswell  of 
New  York  to  organize  clubs  in  the  Canal  Zone.  The 
construction  of  the  great  waterway,  the  Panama  Canal, 
had  become  a  combination  of  industrial  and  social 
problems.  The  skilled  men  in  charge  of  the  work  were 
not  contented  without  their  families  and  the  unhealthy 
climate  and  the  absence  of  social  life  made  their  fam- 
ilies reluctant  to  stay  there.  Between  the  Panama 
Canal  and  Women's  Clubs  there  seems  no  connection, 
yet  by  this  means  the  problem  was  solved.  A  repre- 
sentative of  the  National  Civic  Federation  (whose 
wife  no  doubt  was  a  club  woman)  suggested  that  the 
need  of  social  life  in  the  Canal  Zone  might  be  obviated 
by  organizing  Women's  Clubs  there,  thus  bringing  the 
women  together  with  mutual  aims,  and  get  them  inter- 
ested in  their  husbands'  work.  So  Miss  Boswell  was 
sent  by  the  Government  to  organize  Women's  Clubs 
in  all  the  larger  towns  throughout  the  Canal  Zone. 
The  result  was  entirely  satisfactory  both  from  an  in- 
dustrial and  a  social  viewpoint,  and  the  Canal  was 
built  and  no  doubt  many  women  disseminated  ideas  as 
well  as  happiness  to  their  struggling  husbands. 

Today  there  is  a  Canal  Zone  Federation  affiliated 
with  the  General  Federation  and  its  delegates  attend 
the  Biennial  Conventions,  all  of  which  proves  that 
woman's  presence  and  woman's  influence  is  needed 
everywhere. 


CHAPTER  II 

STATE  ORGANIZATION 

Winston-Salem — 1902 

The  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs 
was  organized  in  1902  and  joined  the  General  Federa- 
tion in  1903.  The  organization  was  made  during  the 
Centennial  Celebration  at  Salem  Academy  (now 
Salem  College)  in  Winston-Salem  in  May,  1902.  Miss 
Louisa  Poppenheim,  then  President  of  the  South  Caro- 
lina Federation,  and  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
General  Federation,  suggested  that  it  was  an  oppor- 
tune time  for  such  action,  and  Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson, 
ever  alert  and  progressive,  promised  cooperation  in  the 
effort.  As  an  officer  in  the  General  Federation  Miss 
Poppenheim  sent  a  call  to  the  clubs  in  North  Carolina, 
asking  that  delegates,  duly  authorized  to  join  the  pro- 
posed State  Federation,  be  sent  to  a  meeting  in  Win- 
ston-Salem. Various  clubs  responded  to  the  call,  and 
the  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  residence  of  Mrs«-H.  E. 
Starbuck,  on  May  26,  1902.  Miss  Poppenheim  was 
made  temporary  Chairman,  and  Mrs.  A.  J.  Howell, 
representing  the  North  Carolina  Sorosis,  the  oldest  Wo- 
man's Club  in  North  Carolina,  became  temporary 
secretary.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  fully  dis- 
cussed, an  organization  made,  a  constitution  adopted, 
and  the  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs 
became  an  entity,  small,  but  healthy  and  ambitious. 

The  next  day,  May  27,  the  organization  met  for  final 
action  in  the  Chapel  of  the  Moravian  Church  in  Salem. 
More  delegates  had   arrived,  who   duly  enrolled   their 

[  8] 


State  Organization  9 

clubs,  and  plans  for  work  were  adopted.  The  clubs 
enrolled  at  that  meeting  were  Sorosis,  Round  Table,  and 
Embroidery,  of  Winston-Salem,  the  North  Carolina 
Sorosis  of  Wilmington,  a  department  club  already 
affiliated  with  the  General  Federation,  the  Goldsboro 
Woman's  Club,  a  department  club  with  68  members, 
the  Circulating  Book  Club  of  Salisbury,  and  the  Alpha 
Club  of  Statesville. 

Visiting  club  women  were  present  from  Asheville, 
Lexington,  and  Waynesville  but  deferred  action  until 
reporting  to  their  respective  clubs.  Other  prominent 
women,  not  representing  clubs,  were  present,  many  of 
whom  subsequently  joined  the  work.  The  officers 
elected  were:  President,  Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson;  First 
Vice  President,  Mrs.  P.  P.  Cotten;  Second  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  W.  P.  Hollowell;  Recording  Secretary,  Miss 
M.  L.  Gibson;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Miss  Claytor 
Candler;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Charles  Price. 

The  Departments  of  work  were  assigned  on  the  lines 
of  Education,  Library  Extension,  Village  Improvement 
and  State  Charities. 

In  those  early  efforts  Village  Improvement  Societies 
and  Betterment  Associations  were  very  popular  and  in- 
offensive to  the  masculine  critic,  while  training  women 
for  further  activity.  From  the  beginning  Library  Ex- 
tension was  recognized  as  a  factor  in  the  education  of  all 
women. 

An  invitation  to  hold  the  first  annual  meeting  in 
the  following  October  at  Winston-Salem  was  accepted, 
and  the  club  women  dispersed  thrilling  with  enthusi- 
asm at  the  consciousness  of  having  launched  a  new 
factor  for  good  in  the  Old  North  State. 


CHAPTER  III 

FIRST  CONTENTION 

Winston-Saxem — 1902 

All  history  is  divided  into  periods  and  the  annual 
Conventions  naturally  punctuate  the  work  of  the 
North  Carolina  Federation  of  Women's  Cluhs. 

The  pioneer  work  was  arduous  and  discouraging 
but  the  new  officers  met  the  emergencies  with  zeal  and 
fidelity  and  the  movement  grew  gradually. 

The  first  Convention  was  held  in  the  Chapel  of 
Salem  Academy  in  October,  1902.  The  25  delegates 
were  welcomed  by  Dr.  Clewell  in  appropriate  words. 
The  number  of  federated  clubs  had  increased  from  7 
to  17,  each  vying  with  the  other  in  activity  and  zeal. 
The  chairmen  of  Departments  had  aroused  interest 
ii]  their  lines  of  work,  and  new  vigor  stirred  the  ener- 
gies of  the  women.  A  Department  of  Art  and  Music 
was  added.  Mrs.  Martha  Orr  Patterson,  President  of 
the  South  Carolina  Federation,  made  an  address,  ex- 
plaining the  work  done  in  that  state  and  giving  words 
of  encouragement.  Greetings  from  other  states,  and 
one  from  Mrs.  Denison,  President  of  the  General  Fed- 
eration, were  read.  Miss  Poppenheim  was  present  and 
explained  the  work  of  the  General  Federation. 

The  General  Federation  at  that  time  was  a  Federa- 
tion of  individual  clubs  and  the  rapid  growth  of  State 
Federations  caused  some  confusion  and  necessitated 
many  changes.  Before  the  development  of  State  Fed- 
erations, a  woman  in  each  State,  named  by  the  General 

[10] 


Flbst  Convention  11 

Federation  was  given  the  duty  of  bringing  clubs  into 
tbe  National  body.  She  was  called  The  State  Chair- 
man of  Correspondence,  because  the  work  was  done  by 
correspondence.  The  North  Carolina  Sorosis  of  "Wil- 
mington had  joined  the  General  Federation  and  its 
President,  Mrs.  Andrew  J.  Howell,  was  appointed  the 
first  State  Chairman  of  Correspondence  but  soon  re- 
linquished it  because  she  was  too  busy  to  perform  the 
duties.  There  was  no  money  for  traveling  expenses 
and  the  progress  by  correspondence  was  slow.  Then 
the  committee  to  represent  the  General  Federation  in 
each  State  was  increased  to  three.  In  North  Carolina 
that  committee  of  three  was  composed  of  Mrs.  Andrew 
Howell,  Miss  Margaret  Gibson  with  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten 
as  chairman.  In  the  year  1900,  Mrs.  Cotten  attended 
her  first  Biennial  Convention  which  was  held  in  Mil- 
waukee, where  she  was  the  special  guest  of  the  Chair- 
man of  Correspondence  for  Wisconsin,  and  you  may  be 
sure  they  exchanged  confidences  as  to  the  woes  and 
handicaps  of  Correspondence  Chairmen.  At  that  Con- 
vention she  served  on  the  Credential  Committee  because 
of  her  official  position  as  Chairman  of  Correspondence 
for  North  Carolina.  It  was  because  of  that  service  in 
1900  that  Mrs.  Cotten  was  admitted  to  the  Society  of 
Pioneers,  no  service  later  than  1900  being  recognized 
as  Pioneer  service.  The  Committee  of  Three  finally 
yielded  to  a  General  Federation  State  Secretary  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Federation  Board,  then  later 
elected  by  each  State  Federation  but  with  the  same 
duties.     Now  the  General  Federation  State  Secretary 


12  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

has  been  replaced  by  a  Director  from  each  State  on  tbe 
National  Board,  which  is  genuinely  democratic  and 
seems   entirely  satisfactory. 

The  Keystone,  published  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  was 
adopted  at  Winston-Salem  as  the  official  organ  of  the 
North  Carolina  Federation  and  for  many  years  re- 
mained our  official  organ. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows :  President, 
Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson;  First  Vice  President,  Mrs. 
W.  R,  Hollowell;  Second  Vice  President,  Mrs.  T.  M. 
Pittman;  Recording  Secretary,  Miss  Mary  Petty; 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Miss  Claytor  Candler ;  Treas- 
urer, Mrs.  H.  R.  Starbuck;  Auditor,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Cook. 

Thus  organized  and  equipped  with  efficient  officers, 
the  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs  be- 
gan its  career  of  usefulness. 

A  musicale  and  reception  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Clewell, 
and  a  trolley  ride,  tendered  by  the  electric  car  company 
added  to  the  pleasures  of  the  occasion. 


CHAPTER  IV 

SECOND  CONVENTION 
Concord— 1903 

The  second  Convention  of  the  North  Carolina  Federa- 
tion of  Women's  Clubs  was  called  to  order  by  the  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  Patterson,  in  the  Pythian  Hall  of  Concord, 
on  October  14,  1903.  Mrs.  Robert  Gibson  welcomed  the 
club  women  and  Mrs.  Hugh  Murrill  responded  for  the 
Federation.  The  President's  address  was  so  fine  that 
it  was  printed  in  the  Sunday  papers,  which  was  then 
quite  an  honor  for  a  woman. 

Three  new  clubs  had  been  added,  among  them  the 
now  famous  Charlotte  Woman's  Club,  which  made  the 
number  of  federated  clubs  20,  with  a  membership  of 
440,  and  a  voting  strength  of  24  present.  It  was  voted 
to  join  the  General  Federation,  and  four  delegates, 
Mesdames  Patterson,  Alderman,  Murrill,  and  Candler 
were  elected  to  represent  North  Carolina  at  the  St. 
Louis  Biennial. 

The  Departments  made  fine  reports.  The  Chairman 
of  Music  and  Art  declared  the  combination  too  much 
for  one  department  and  at  her  suggestion  the  Depart- 
ment was  divided  into  two :  one  of  Art,  the  other  of 
Music.  New  departments  were  created,  one  of  Publi- 
cation with  Mrs.  T.  M.  Pittman,  chairman,  and  one 
of  Reciprocity  with  Mrs.  G.  W.  Whitsett,  chairman. 
Through  the  Department  of  Reciprocity  the  club  wo- 
men exchanged  papers  on  various  subjects,  wise  and 
otherwise,  and  secured  information  for  papers  they 
were  writing.    The  subjects  of  papers  thus  written  and 

[13] 


14  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

exchanged  would  astonish,  and  perhaps  puzzle  many 
a  college  professor,  but  those  women  were  in  earnest, 
and  the  papers  were  instructive,  interesting,  and 
mutually  beneficial.  Moreover  a  small  fee  of  ten  cents 
was  charged  for  every  paper  loaned  so  there  was  a 
small  revenue  for  the  department  and  in  those  days 
the  question  of  finance  was  a  serious  one  to  a  young 
Federation. 

The  Chairman  of  Library  Extension  reported  28  new 
traveling  libraries,  making  a  total  of  39  traveling 
libraries  in  operation  in  1903.  It  should  be  recorded 
and  remembered  that  the  North  Carolina  Women's 
Clubs  started  traveling  libraries  in  the  State  at  their 
own  expense.  Later  the  clubs  were  largely  instrumental 
in  getting  a  bill  passed  by  the  Legislature,  authorizing 
the  appointment  of  a  Library  Commission  for  the  State. 
Id  recognition  of  that  activity,  when  the  Commission 
was  appointed,  an  active  club  woman,  former  chairman 
of  Library  Extension,  Mrs.  Sol  Weil  of  Goldsboro,  was 
made  Vice  Chairman  of  that  Commission. 

A  reception  by  the  New  South  Club,  one  by  the  Con- 
cord Woman's  Club  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  J.  C.  Wads- 
worth,  a  drive  to  Sunderland  Hall,  where  another  re- 
ception was  given  by  Miss  Montgomery,  were  all  de- 
lightful social  features  of  the  meeting.  An  interesting 
incident  was  the  presentation  to  Mrs.  Patterson,  from 
Captain  Charles  McDonald,  through  the  Julia  Ma- 
gruder  Club,  of  a  beautiful  pin,  made  from  a  nugget 
of  pure  gold  taken  from  a  mine  in  Cabarrus  County. 

The  same  officers  were  unanimously  reelected  and 
great  interest  and  enthusiasm  prevailed,  while  the  sec- 
ond annual  convention  passed  into  history. 


CHAPTER  V 

THIRD  CONVENTION" 

Goldsboeo — 1905 

The  third  convention  was  necessarily  postponed  until 
May,  1905,  which  caused  the  change  of  date  for  the 
Convention  from  October  to  May,  which  has  since 
become  permanent. 

The  Goldsboro  Woman's  Club  had  already  estab- 
lished itself  in  well  equipped  Club  Rooms,  and  when  the 
President,  Mrs.  Patterson,  called  the  delegates  to  order 
in  those  rooms  and  declared  the  Third  Convention 
assembled,  all  felt  that  North  Carolina  womanhood 
was  coming  into  its  own. 

Twenty-nine  clubs  were  reported  with  a  member- 
ship of  550  and  a  voting  strength  present  of  35.  The 
broadening  of  view  and  the  inevitable  broadening  of 
effort  were  apparent  and  great  harmony  prevailed. 

Words  of  welcome  from  Colonel  Joseph  Robinson  of 
the  Argus,  which  left  no  pleasant  adjective  unused,  and 
from  Mrs.  Hollowell,  President  of  the  hostess  club, 
were  responded  to  by  Miss  Gibson  of  the  Wilmington 
Sorosis. 

Then  followed  an  address  by  Dr.  Benj.  Sledd  on 
North  Carolina  Literature,  and  one  on  Club  Work  for 
Women  by  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten.  Later  an  address  was 
given  by  Dr.  A.  J.  McKelway  on  Child  Labor.     Those 

[15] 


16  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

addresses  proved  the  serious  trend  of  thought  which 
attracted  the  activities  of  the  federated  women. 

A  graphic  report  of  the  St.  Louis  Biennial  was  made 
by  Mrs.  Hugh  Murrill  who  had  attended  that  meeting 
as  a  delegate  from  the  North  Carolina  Federation. 
It  was  heard  with  great  interest — seemed  almost  like 
a  fairy  tale  to  the  inexperienced  club  women  who  had 
never  seen  a  "Biennial"  but  who  were  in  good  train- 
ing for  the  big  work  and  have  since  participated  in 
it  until  now  a  Biennial  is  only  one  of  many  pleasant 
events  in  life.  The  Departments  made  satisfactory 
reports  and  a  new  Department  was  added,  called  Child 
Study  with  Mrs.   R.   R.   Cotten   as  Chairman. 

At  Goldsboro  the  first  shadow  fell  on  the  Federation. 
Miss  Candler,  the  beloved  and  efficient  Corresponding 
Secretary,  was  too  ill  to  be  present.  Telegrams  of 
sympathy  and  letters  of  love  were  sent  to  her,  but  a 
premonition  of  the  coming  shadow  was  felt.  She  fell 
asleep  soon  after,  lamented  by  all  who  knew  her. 

Mrs.  Patterson  after  three  years  of  arduous,  loving 
service  asked  to  be  permitted  to  rest,  so  Mrs.  J.  T. 
Alderman  of  Henderson  was  unanimously  elected 
President  with  Mrs.  W.  R.  Hollowell,  First  Vice  Presi- 
dent; Mrs.  Hugh  Murrill,  Second  Vice  President;  Miss 
Margaret  Gibson,  Recording  Secretary;  Mrs.  Hill  Par- 
ham,  Corresponding  Secretary;  Mrs.  D.  L.  Bost,  Treas- 
urer; Mrs.  J.  L.  Gilmer,  Auditor. 

Many  social  functions  added  charm  to  the  meeting, 
among  them  a  beautiful  reception  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 


Third  Convention  17 

Sol  Weil,  and  a  drive  followed  by  a  buffet  luncheon 
in  the  pavilion  at  Herman  Park.  A  play,  entitled 
"Petticoat  Perfidy"  was  given  by  local  talent  in  the 
rooms  of  the  Woman's  Club  followed  by  a  reception. 
Another  reception,  the  following  evening,  was  given 
at  Hotel  Kennon,  followed  by  an  elaborate  banquet 
where  the  menu  was  interspersed  with  toasts  and  bril- 
liant responses,  all  by  the  club  women.  That  famous 
banquet  was  distinctive  in  being  marked  by  the  entire 
absence  of  men.  Yet  one  of  the  special  toasts  was 
"Man,"  and  the  woman  who  responded  to  the  toast 
did  the  subject  justice  and  established  the  fact  that 
the  work  of  the  sixth  day  of  creation  was  very  good, 
and  the  world  would  have  been  incomplete  without  him. 
While  no  man  was  visible  the  club  women  rather  sus- 
pected that  some  masculine  eavesdroppers  were  con- 
cealed somewhere  among  the  full  draperies.  Some  en- 
thusiastic reporter  even  grew  poetical  and  thus  reported 
it  the  next  day : 

There  was  a  sound  of  revelry  by  night 

And  Wayne's  capital  had  gathered  then 

The  State's  beauty,  her  wit,  her  intellect,  and  bright 

The  lights  shone  o'er  fair  women — tut  no   men. 

Near  a  hundred  hearts  beat  happily,  and  when 

Into  view  came  the  banquet  table  with   its   lights  and 

flowers, 
Bright  eyes  looked  admiration,  red  lips  were  wreathed  in 

smiles, 
And  all  went  merry,  the  clubs  had  met  again. 


18  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  toast  mistress  of  the  occasion  was  Mrs.  M.  O. 
Humphrey.     The  toasts  were  as  follows: 

Our  Guests — Miss  Etta  Spier. 

Our  Federation — Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson. 

Our    Sister    Women   in    Foreign    Lands — Mrs.    Geo.    W. 

Butler. 
The  Professional  Woman — Mrs.  M.  L.  Stover. 
The  Domestic  Woman — Mrs.  J.  T.  Alderman. 
Man — Mrs.  Harry  Skinner. 

While  Mrs.  Stover  was  lauding  the  possibilities  of 
the  Professional  Woman,  suddenly,  the  lights  went  out. 
The  club  women  never  really  knew  whether  it  was  an 
accident  or  a  joke  by  the  men,  thus  insinuating  that 
the  future  of  the  Professional  Woman  was  dark.  How- 
ever, the  lights  returned,  the  revelry  continued  to  a  suc- 
cessful close,  and  the  first  Woman's  Banquet  in  North 
Carolina  became  a  pleasant  memory. 

As  a  mark  of  their  esteem  the  Goldsboro  Woman's 
Club  presented  Mrs.  Patterson  with  a  Goldsboro 
souvenir  spoon,  which  must  inevitably  recall  to  her  a 
pleasant  occasion.  It  was  at  all  times  evident  that 
interest  in  the  work  and  in  each  other  was  increasing 
among  the  women,  and  when  the  Convention  adjourned 
every  delegate  carried  away  pleasant  memories  and  a 
stimulus  to  increased  activity. 


CHAPTER  VI 

FOURTH  COISTYENTION' 

Charlotte — 1906 

The  first  Charlotte  Convention,  destined  to  be  fol- 
lowed by  many  more,  was  called  to  order  by  the  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  Alderman,  in  the  auditorium  of  the  Colonial 
Club.  A  luncheon  given  to  the  Executive  Board  by 
Mrs.  Hugh  Murrill,  inaugurated  a  custom  so  fraught 
with  pleasure  and  benefit  that  it  has  become  a  perma- 
nent feature  of  the  annual  meetings,  always  preceding 
the  opening  of  the  Convention,  and  following  the  of- 
ficial meeting  of  the  Executive  Board. 

Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley,  President  of  the  hostess  club, 
made  the  address  of  welcome,  and  Miss  Gertrude  Weil 
expressed  the  pleasure  of  the  delegates  in  being  per- 
mitted to  breathe  the  Independence-laden  air  of  Meck- 
lenburg County. 

The  new  President,  Mrs.  Alderman,  made  a  fine  ad- 
dress and  the  ease  with  which  she  presided  proved  the 
wisdom  of  her  election  to  the  high  office. 

Thirty-three  clubs  were  reported  enrolled,  among 
them  the  Raleigh  Woman's  Club,  then  and  now,  the 
largest  club  in  the  state.  The  voting  strength  present 
in  Charlotte  was  52,  showing  increased  strength  since 
the  Convention  in  Goldsboro,  and  so  long  as  growth 
continued  the  women  were  encouraged  to  continue  the 
work. 

[19] 


20  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Eighty  valuable  papers  were  reported  in  the  Rec- 
iprocity Department  and  many  of  them  used  by  the 
clubs. 

The  important  Department  of  Domestic  Science  was 
added,  with  Dr.  Delia  Dixon  Carroll  as  Chairman. 
This  Department  has  since  undergone  several  changes 
of  name  without  changing  its  nature.  From  Domestic 
Science  to  Household  Economics,  then  to  Home  Econom- 
ics and  now  again  to  the  American  Home — each 
change  being  an  improved  name  and  a  higher  ideal. 

A  department  of  Forestry  was  recommended  at  Char- 
lotte but  not  added  until  the  following  year. 

Federation  colors  were  adopted,  blue  and  white,  to  be 
in  harmony  with  the  General  Federation  colors.  A  pine 
cone  as  a  design  for  a  Federation  pin,  and  a  sprig  of 
green  pine  for  an  emblem  were  also  adopted. 

A  tribute  to  the  lamented  Miss  Candler  was  read  by 
Mrs.  Hugh  Murrill  and  a  memorial  page  in  the  Year 
Book  was  ordered  to  be  inserted  in  her  memory. 

A  reception  to  Mrs.  Alderman,  the  Federation  Presi- 
dent was  given  by  the  Charlotte  Woman's  Club,  an- 
other at  the  home  of  Mrs.  R.  O.  Alexander,  a  trolley 
ride  followed  by  an  al-fresco  party,  and  a  musicale  and 
play  at  night  were  much  enjoyed  diversions.  An  elab- 
orate reception  by  the  Manufacturers  Club  on  the  last 
evening  brought  a  most  successful  meeting  to  a  close. 


CHAPTER  VII 

FIFTH  CONVENTION 

Wilmington — 1907 

When  the  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs  met  at  Wilmington  in  April,  1907,  the  extreme 
illness  of  the  President,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Alderman,  prevented 
her  attendance.  The  work  and  responsibility  of  the 
meeting  devolved  upon  the  Vice  President,  Mrs. 
Eugene  Reilley,  who  met  the  emergency  with  courage 
and  ability.  A  warm  welcome  was  extended  by  Soro- 
sis,  through  Miss  Margaret  Gibson,  which  was  re- 
sponded to  by  Miss  Adelaide  Fries  of  Winston-Salem. 

A  luncheon  to  the  Executive  Board  was  given  by  Miss 
Gibson  at  her  home. 

Flowers  and  a  telegram  of  regret  and  sympathy  were 
sent  to  Mrs.  Alderman.  The  clubs  numbered  33,  with 
a  membership  about  800  and  the  Credentials  Committee 
reported  a  voting  strength  of  44  present. 

This  evidence  of  continued  growth  was  most  gratify- 
ing. Meeting  together  was  no  longer  an  exciting 
novelty  but  an  anticipated  pleasure.  The  strength  of 
union  was  felt,  as  was  the  fact  that  many  things  in 
the  State  needed  woman's  cooperation,  and  that  they 
could  help  each  other  bring  such  things  to  pass.  Greater 
seriousness  began  to  mark  the  meetings  and  the  spirit 
of  altruism  was  predominating  over  the  love  of  pleas- 
ure and  the  selfish  desire  for  personal  literary  culture. 
Women  were  gaining  the  courage  of  their  convictions, 

[21] 


22  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

and  could  second  a  motion  without  feeling  as  if  they 
had  committed  a  crime  against  womanly  modesty. 
They  no  longer  trembled  at  the  sound  of  their  own 
voices  but  discussed  issues  in  a  sane  and  sensible  way. 
Reports,  discussions,  motions,  and  resolutions,  filled 
each  session.  A  resolution  was  passed  that  in  future 
one  entire  day,  including  the  evening  session,  should 
be  given  to  business.  At  a  later  Convention  this  was 
changed  to  two  whole  days,  and  now  more  is  needed. 
Clubwomen  can  readily  see  why  Fine  Arts  Evening, 
combining  the  Reports  of  Several  Chairmen  of  Depart- 
ments, the  announcing  awards  in  contests,  etc.,  was  in- 
stituted, which  combines  business  with  pleasure  and 
demonstrates  the  progress  made  in  those  departments. 

An  incident  of  the  Wilmington  Convention  was  the 
presentation  of  a  gavel  to  the  Federation  from  the 
Charlotte  Woman's  Club.  It  was  made  of  wood  from 
Mount  Vernon  and  presented  by  Mrs.  John  W.  Miller. 
Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper  accepted  it  for  the  Federation  and 
Mrs.  Reilley  used  it  faithfully  during  the  Convention. 
It  remains  one  of  the  treasured  possessions  of  the 
Federation.  An  address  on  "Woman  in  Civics  and 
the  Home"  was  made  by  Dr.  Delia  Dixon  Carroll. 

The  new  Federation  pins,  a  pine  cone,  with  the  let- 
ters ~N.  C.  F.  C.  on  a  background  of  light  blue  and 
white  enamel  were  on  sale,  and  eagerly  bought  by  the 
delegates.  Miss  Adelaide  Fries  presented  a  plan  for 
a  Scholarship  at  Salem  Academy,  in  honor  of  Mrs. 
Stonewall  Jackson,  an  alumna  of  that  Institution.  The 
Convention  endorsed  the  plan,  and  later  the  clubs 
responded  in  donations  of  money  for  the  scholarship. 


Fifth  Convention  23 

At  the  suggestion  of  the  acting  President,  Mrs. 
Reilley,  a  Department  of  Literature  was  added  to  the 
work,  and  Miss  Fries  was  made  Chairman.  Being  her- 
self a  woman  of  rare  literary  attainments,  this  depart- 
ment, under  her  management  proved  of  great  value  as 
a  stimulus  to  activities  along  literary  lines. 

It  was  at  the  Wilmington  Convention  that  the  first 
official  action  was  taken  in  regard  to  the  Stonewall 
Jackson  Training  School  at  Concord.  The  North  Caro- 
lina Legislature  had  authorized  the  establishment  at 
Concord  of  an  Industrial  Training  School  for  Boys, 
as  a  needed  reform  for  the  good  of  the  State  and  as  a 
memorial  to  Stonewall  Jackson  of  Confederate  fame. 

The  clubs  had  been  invited  to  join  with  the  King's 
Daughters  in  erecting  a  cottage  at  that  school.  At 
Wilmington  the  name  of  the  Department  of  State 
Charities  was  changed  to  Industrial  and  Child  Labor 
and  the  Chairman,  Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper,  was  instructed 
to  take  up  the  special  work  of  a  cottage  at  the  Stone- 
wall Jackson  School. 

The  spirit  of  cooperation  was  further  emphasized  by 
the  appointment  of  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten  as  a  Fraternal 
Delegate  to  the  Convention  of  King's  Daughters,  soon 
to  convene  in  Henderson.  This  was  probably  the  first 
example  in  North  Carolina  of  cooperation  between  two 
organizations  of  women,  and  marked  the  beginning 
of  that  true  spirit  of  unity  which  should  underlie  all 
action,  and  which  has  become  almost  universal  and 
which  means  Progress. 

The  General  Federation  had  changed  its  method  of 
management  and  now  permitted  each  State  to  elect  its 


24  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

own  General  Federation  Secretary,  who  was  to  do  the 
duty  formerly  done  hy  a  committee.  Miss  Gertrude 
Weil  was  elected  to  fill  the  new  office.  The  other  of- 
ficers elected  were  President,  Miss  Margaret  Gibson; 
First  Vice  President,  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley;  Second 
Vice  President,  Miss  Mary  Petty ;  Recording  Secretary, 
Miss  Sallie  Kirby;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Miss 
Rebecca  Watkins;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Thomas  Maslin; 
Auditor,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Reid. 

The  meetings  were  all  held  in  the  Masonic  Temple 
where  each  day  delightful  luncheons  were  served,  thus 
promoting  fellowship  among  the  delegates  through 
social  intercourse,  and  economizing  time  for  business. 

A  reception  by  Sorosis  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  R.  W. 
Hicks,  a  trolley  ride  to  Wrightsville  Beach,  a  trip  down 
the  historic  Cape  Fear  on  the  steamer  Wilmington 
where  delightful  social  functions  were  enjoyed  by  all. 


CHAPTEK  VIII 

SIXTH  CONVENTION 

Greensboro — 1908 

The  progress  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation,  while 
not  phenomenal,  was  continuous  and  encouraging. 
Some  few  clubs  disbanded,  a  few  withdrew,  but  each 
year  more  new  clubs  affiliated  and  more  were  being  or- 
ganized all  over  the  State.  In  1908,  the  Convention 
met  in  Greensboro  where  five  federated  clubs  wel- 
comed us,  four  of  which  had  been  faithful  members 
since  the  beginning  of  the  organization.  It  was  before 
the  day  of  the  Greensboro  Woman's  Club,  whose  glory, 
however  great,  cannot  overshadow  those  four  faithful 
clubs  in  the  early  years. 

Luncheon  to  the  Executive  Board  was  given  by  Mrs. 
G.  W.  Whitsett  at  her  home.  The  opening  session  was 
held  in  Elks'  Temple,  the  President,  Miss  Gibson,  pre- 
siding. Mrs.  B.  C.  Sharpe  welcomed  the  delegates  and 
Mrs.  Beilley  responded  for  the  Federation.  The  clubs 
numbered  36  with  a  membership  of  more  than  1,000, 
and  a  voting  strength  of  63  present,  which  was  nearly 
double  what  it  was  three  years  before  in  Goldsboro. 
Mrs.  Emma  Fox,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Gen- 
eral Federation,  was  the  guest  of  honor,  and  a  guest  of 
honor  was  a  sure  sign  of  progress  then.  Mrs.  F'ox  spoke 
on  the  work  of  the  national  organization  and  urged 
the  affiliation  of  individual  clubs  therewith.  She  also 
made  an  interesting  talk  on  Parliamentary  Law  and 
urged  all  clubs  to  study  and  practice  it. 

[25] 


26  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

A  brilliant  address  on  Southern  Literature  was  made 
by  the  gifted  Dr.  Alphonso  Smith,  then  at  the  North 
Carolina  University.  Mrs.  Annie  Smith  Ross,  President 
of  the  North  Carolina  Library  Association,  spoke  on 
State  Aid  to  Libraries  and  the  ensuing  discussion  re- 
sulted in  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  act  with 
the  Library  Association  in  the  effort  to  secure  a  Library 
Commission  for  the  State. 

A  new  field  of  usefulness  was  found  at  the  Greens- 
boro Convention.  It  was  the  securing  and  filling  of 
scholarships.  Nine  scholarships  at  various  State  in- 
stitutions had  been  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  clubs, 
through  the  Education  Department.  True,  those 
scholarships  had  to  be  filled  with  boys,  but  the  living 
spirit  of  education  was  filling  the  souls  of  the  women 
and  idle  scholarships  appeared  an  abomination  in  their 
eyes.  So  a  committee  was  appointed  to  fill  those 
scholarships,  which  it  did.  That  committee  was  also 
instructed  to  agitate  the  matter  of  cooperation  with 
other  State  Federations  in  raising  a  fund  for  a  scholar- 
ship at  Oxford,  England,  which  should  give  to  Amer- 
ican women  the  same  opportunity  given  to  men  by  the 
Cecil  Rhodes  scholarships. 

The  growth  of  the  work  made  new  departments  neces- 
sary. At  Greensboro  a  Department  of  Forestry  was 
added  and  the  name  of  Village  Improvement  was 
changed  to  Civics.  The  Stonewall  Jackson  Training 
School  was  discussed  and  $320  was  pledged  for  the 
cottage  there.  Delegates  and  alternates  to  the  Boston 
Biennial  were  duly  elected. 


Sixth  Convention  27 

Previous  to  the  Greensboro  meeting  the  Federation 
Year  Book  had  been  simply  a  directory  of  clubs,  and 
reports  from  the  departments,  but  at  that  time  the 
address  of  the  President,  the  minutes  of  the  Convention 
and  a  few  other  items  were  included,  adding  interest 
to  the  Year  Book. 

A  session  was  held  in  Cornelian  Hall  at  the  State 
Normal  and  Industrial  College — Miss  Gibson  in  the 
chair. 

Reports  were  heard  from  the  Executive  Board,  the 
General  Federation  State  Secretary,  and  the  officers  of 
the  Federation.  Four  new  clubs  were  reported  making 
a  total  of  36  clubs  with  an  aggregate  membership  of 
118G,  as  against  the  record  of  the  preceding  year  of  32 
clubs  with  1,000  members. 

The  Credentials  committee  reported  a  voting  strength 
of  63.  The  Treasurer  reported  an  increase  in  revenue 
and  a  balance  on  hand  of  $75.  When  one  remembers 
that  the  per  capita  dues  were  at  that  time  ten  cents, 
one  has  to  recognize  the  officers  of  the  Federation  as 
financiers. 

At  the  invitation  of  President  Foust  of  the  State 
Normal  College  the  clubwomen  met  the  students  of 
that  college  and  several  addresses,  brief,  but  appro- 
priate were  made. 

Mrs.  "W.  S.  Primrose,  President  of  the  Ealeigh  "Wo- 
man's Club,  presented  greetings  from  her  club  and  an 
invitation  to  the  Federation  to  hold  its  seventh  Con- 
vention in  Raleigh,  which  invitation  was  accepted. 


28  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  Committee  on  Courtesies  expressed  grateful  ac- 
knowledgment of  all  attentions  shown  the  Federation 
while  in  Greensboro. 

A  beautiful  reception  by  the  Greensboro  clubs  at  the 
home  of  Mrs.  E.  P.  Wharton  was  specially  mentioned 
and  enjoyed.  All  business  having  been  disposed  of  the 
Federation  adjourned  to  accept  an  invitation  to 
luncheon  at  Greensboro  Female  College — now  Greens- 
boro College  for  Women.  After  luncheon,  carriages 
were  provided  by  the  local  chapter  Daughters  of  the 
Revolution  for  a  drive  to  Guilford  Battle  Ground 
where  Major  Joseph  M.  Morehead,  President  of  the 
Battle  Ground  Association,  became  the  invaluable 
cicerone  of  the  party. 

A  reception  given  in  their  club  rooms  by  the  Mer- 
chants and  Manufacturers  Club  of  Greensboro  brought 
to  a  close  in  pleasurable  social  intercourse  the  Sixth 
Convention  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Wo- 
men's Clubs. 


C     o 


CHAPTER  IX 

SEVENTH  CONVENTION 
Raleigh— 1909 

Clubs  were  increasing  and  nourishing;  women  were 
finding  themselves  and  each  other;  prejudice  against 
clubs  was  weakening  as  time  proved  no  harmful  results 
therefrom.  Village  Improvement  Societies  were  be- 
coming Civic  Leagues ;  Book  Clubs  were  changing  their 
names  but  not  their  nature,  often  extending  their  ac- 
tivities beyond  the  pursuit  of  knowledge.  It  is  inter- 
esting to  record  that  the  work  of  the  clubs  extended 
from  the  care  of  County  Homes  to  the  Study  of  Shake- 
speare ;  from  the  civic  conditions  of  their  communities 
to  the  real  problems  of  Public  Welfare.  Their  ideals 
were  expanding  and  they  began  to  realize  that  the  bet- 
terment of  the  world  was  their  concern  as  well  as  the 
betterment  of  their  homes,  and  that  working  together 
brought  better  and  quicker  results. 

At  the  invitation  of  the  Raleigh  Woman's  Club  the 
Federation  met  in  the  Capital  City  in  May,  1909.  The 
opening  session  was  held  in  the  Executive  Mansion, 
where  words  of  welcome  and  encouragement  greeted 
the  club  women  by  His  Excellency,  Governor  W.  W. 
Kitchin.  Mrs.  R.  B.  John  spoke  for  the  hostess  club 
and  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten  responded  for  the  Federation. 
The  President,  Miss  Gibson,  delivered  her  address  in 
the  Mansion,  which  was  followed  by  a  reception  given 
by  the  Raleigh  Woman's  Club  but  served  in  the 
Mansion.  [29] 


30  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

All  the  business  sessions  of  that  Convention  were 
held  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Presi- 
dent Miss  Gibson,  occupying  the  Speaker's  Chair. 
That  Convention  was  probably  the  first  occasion  on 
which  a  woman  presided  officially  over  an  organized 
body  of  human  beings  in  that  venerable  and  historic 
Hall  of  Legislation  where  now  women  may  sit  and  help 
legislate.  Such  is  progress  and  thus  we  go  forward 
to  the  future. 

Bereavement  had  deprived  the  hostess  club  of  the 
services  and  presence  of  its  President,  Mrs.  W.  S. 
Primrose,  and  the  luncheon  to  the  Executive  Board  was 
given  by  the  Vice  President,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Duncan.  The 
number  of  clubs  had  increased  to  43  with  a  membership 
of  1350,  an  increase  of  10  clubs  with  350  members  over 
the  enrollment  of  the  preceding  year.  The  Credentials 
Committee  reported  a  voting  strength  of  68  present. 

Mrs.  Kyle,  President  of  the  Virginia  Eederation, 
brought  greetings  from  the  Virginia  women.  Mrs. 
Eugene  Reilley  made  a  report  of  the  Boston  Biennial, 
and  Mrs.  J.  L.  Washburn,  Past  President  of  the  Min- 
nesota Eederation,  gave  some  pleasant  reminiscences  of 
the  Boston  meeting. 

The  celebrated  Dr.  Styles  made  a  profound  impres- 
sion by  an  address  on  the  dangerous  but  invisible  hook- 
worm. 

The  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs.  W.  C.  A.  Hammel, 
recommended  the  appointment  of  a  Custodian  of  Rec- 
ords to  have  the  care  of  the  rapidly  accumulating  docu- 
ments pertaining  to  the  life  of  the  Federation.  Miss 
Daisy  Denson  was  elected  to  this  place. 


Seventh  Convention  31 

A  letter  was  read  from  the  North  Carolina  Library 
Association  expressing  appreciation  of  the  efforts  of  the 
clubwomen  in  the  work  for  a  Library  Commission.  Mr. 
Louis  Wilson,  a  member  of  the  newly  established  Com- 
mission, spoke  of  its  formation,  scope,  and  plans.  The 
effort  to  secure  the  creation  of  this  Commission  was  the 
initiation  of  the  Federation  into  the  unexplored  fields  of 
legislation,  and  the  members  were  pleased  with  the 
success  of  the  effort.  It  was  voted  to  transfer  all  the 
traveling  libraries  belonging  to  the  Federation  to  the 
Library  Commission.  The  gift  included  92  traveling 
libraries  in  cases,  and  several  hundred  volumes  not  in 
traveling  cases. 

The  General  Federation  had  requested  all  the  State 
Federations  to  contribute  to  a  fund  designed  to  secure 
for  American  girls  the  same  privileges  at  Oxford,  Eng- 
land, as  those  accorded  the  Cecil  Rhodes  scholarships 
for  boys.  Mrs.  F.  L.  Stevens,  Chairman  of  Education, 
announced  the  completion  of  the  assessment  for  North 
Carolina  and  she  was  authorized  to  send  the  money 
($100)  to  the  General  Federation.  Many  clubwomen 
would  like  to  know  the  success  or  failure  of  that  scholar- 
ship. 

Miss  Laura  Drake  Gill,  a  well  known  clubwoman, 
made  an  inspiring  address  on  "A  Woman's  Equipment," 
which  left  in  the  minds  of  the  audience  much  food  for 
thought.  The  courtesy  of  the  floor  was  extended  to 
Miss  I.  J.  Austin,  of  New  Jersey,  who  made  a  plea  in 
behalf  of  crippled  children.     Sixteen  years  later  North 


32  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Carolina  boasts  of  a  splendidly  equipped  Orthopedic 
Hospital  at  Gastonia  where  many  crippled  children 
are  literally  made  over. 

Miss  Fries,  of  the  Literature  Department,  reported 
an  offer  from  the  State  Literary  and  Historical  Associa- 
tion to  cooperate  in  arranging  programs  for  use  in 
Study  Clubs.  The  offer  was  accepted  and  Miss  Fries 
and  the  Chairman  of  Education  were  named  as  the 
Committee  to  execute  the  plan. 

The  election  of  officers  presented  some  unique  fea- 
tures, inasmuch  as  it  was  the  first  time  in  the  history  of 
the  State  when  women  were  elected  to  high  offices  in 
the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  women's 
votes  recognized  as  legal,  at  least  by  their  club  constitu- 
ents. Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten  was  Chairman  of  the  Nominat- 
ing Committee  and  had  no  doubt  of  the  legality  of  the 
slate  she  presented.  The  officers  unanimously  elected 
were,  President,  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley;  First  Vice 
President,  Mrs.  Sol  Weil;  Second  Vice  President,  Mrs. 
James  Briggs;  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs.  W.  C.  A. 
Hammel;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Miss  Camille 
Hunt;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Alice  Fields;  Auditor,  Mrs.  F. 
R.  Harris;  General  Federation  State  Secretary,  Miss 
Margaret  Gibson. 

The  first  picture  ever  taken  of  the  North  Carolina 
Federation  was  taken  on  the  steps  of  the  Capitol  dur- 
ing that  Convention.  The  picture  has  already  assumed 
the  appearance  of  an  antique,  and  the  group  of  earnest 
women  present  no  appearance  of  insignificance,  even 


Seventh  Convention  33 

with,  that  venerable  and  classic  background.  Yet,  if 
one  wishes  to  meditate  on  the  changing  styles  of  hats; 
or  wishes  to  originate  new  models,  one  has  only  to 
study  that  picture  to  be  convinced  of  the  folly  of  fash- 
ion, at  least  in  hats. 

A  complimentary  tea,  tendered  by  the  Capital  Club 
in  their  new  Club  House  was  much,  enjoyed,  and  the 
meeting  closed  with  a  delightful  musicale  in  the  hall 
of  the  Olivia  Raney  Library — a  memorial  to  a  woman. 


CHAPTER  X 

EIGHTH  CONVENTION 

Henderson — 1910 

The  impetus  which  the  club  work  was  gaining  was 
very  evident  when  the  Eighth  Convention  was  called 
to  order  at  Henderson,  in  May,  1910,  with  Mrs.  Eugene 
Reilley  presiding.  The  meetings  were  held  in  the  Vance 
County  Court  House,  which  seemed  a  fitting  back- 
ground for  the  official  rulings  of  the  only  woman  ever 
elected  to  high  office  in  the  Capitol  of  the  State  of 
North  Carolina. 

The  Board  luncheon  was  given  by  Mrs.  Sidney  P. 
Cooper,  in  conjunction  with  the  meeting  of  the  Execu- 
tive Board,  as  continues  to  be  customary. 

The  first  session  was  called  to  order  in  the  Court 
Room  of  the  Vance  County  Court  House  by  the  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  Reilley.  An  invocation  by  Rev.  R.  C.  Craven 
and  the  singing  of  "Carolina"  were  followed  by  an  ad- 
dress of  welcome  by  Mayor  H.  T.  Powell.  Then  came 
words  of  welcome  from  the  four  Henderson  clubs,  and 
the  response  by  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook.  Then  came  greetings 
from  several  women's  organizations  followed  by  a 
forceful  address  by  the  President.  The  Convention  then 
adjourned  to  attend  a  reception  tendered  by  the  fede- 
rated clubs  of  the  city  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  R.  J.  Corbett. 

The  second  session  of  the  Convention  was  called  to 
order  on  Wednesday  morning,  Mrs.  Reilley  in  the  chair 


Eighth  Convention  35 

An  invocation  by  Rev.  I.  "W.  Hughes  followed,  after 
which  reports  from  officers,  Department  Chairmen  and 
Standing  Committees  were  all  given. 

The  clubs  numbered  59,  with  a  membership  of  1800, 
an  increase  of  540  members  in  one  year,  which  was  due 
to  the  activity  of  the  new  President  who  had  personally 
taken  up  the  work  of  extension  and  enrolled  20  new 
clubs.     The  number  of  delegates  present  was  75. 

A  Midwinter  meeting  of  the  Board  had  been  inaugu- 
rated by  Mrs.  Reilley,  and  the  first  one  had  been  held 
in  February,  at  Goldsboro.  The  benefits  were  so 
evident  that  it  was  decided  to  make  it  a  permanent 
feature  of  the  work.  The  Midwinter  meeting  was  de- 
signed as  a  conference  of  officers  and  workers  to  dis- 
cuss and  plan  the  work  for  the  clubs  and  for  the  Fede- 
ration itself.  It  was  a  happy  thought  and  as  the 
Federation  grew  in  numbers  and  strength  the  Mid- 
winter meeting  grew  in  importance  and  benefit. 

The  evening  session  was  opened  by  the  singing  of  the 
Federation  Song.  By  request  of  Mrs.  Reilley,  Mrs. 
W.  R.  Hollowell  took  the  chair  and  introduced  the 
speaker  of  the  evening,  Dr.  W.  S.  Rankin,  Secretary 
of  the  State  Board  of  Health.  After  an  entertaining 
and  enlightening  discourse  by  Dr.  Rankin,  Mrs.  Hol- 
lowell moved  that  a  Department  of  Health  be  added 
to  the  work  of  the  Federation.  The  motion  was  en- 
thusiastically passed,  and  later  Mrs.  W.  N".  Hutt  was 
made  Chairman  of  the  new  department. 

Another  forward  step  taken  in  Henderson ! 

At  the  Thursday  afternoon  session  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cot- 
ten  was  asked  to  preside  and  she  introduced  another 


36  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

well  known  speaker  on  civic  and  sanitary  matters,  Mr. 
C.  Routzahn,  who  represented  the  Anti-Tuberculosis 
Association.  He  made  an  illustrated  address  on  the 
subject  of  Tuberculosis,  congratulated  the  Federation 
on  the  establishment  of  a  Health  Department,  which 
he  hoped  would  vigorously  attack  the  ravages  of  the 
White  Plague.  The  Henderson  Convention  might  well 
be  called  the  Health  Convention,  because  so  much  time 
was  given  to  that  subject  and  such  wise  action  taken. 

Henderson  is  a  progressive  place  and  it  behooved 
the  Federation  to  "keep  step"  with  Henderson,  so  many 
new  things  came  to  pass.  The  Rules  and  Regulations 
Committee  among  other  rules,  recommended  "that  all 
hats  be  removed  on  entering  the  convention  hall,"  and 
it  was  adopted,  though  no  one  referred  to  the  picture 
taken  in  Raleigh.  So  the  exile  of  the  Federation  hat 
began  at  Henderson. 

At  the  Midwinter  meeting  Mrs.  Duncan,  Chairman 
of  Music,  had  suggested  to  the  Board  that  she  be  per- 
mitted to  ask  the  clubs  for  an  original  song  for  the 
Federation,  which  suggestion  was  approved.  Mrs.  Dun- 
can made  it  known  to  the  clubs.  The  song  written  by 
Mrs.  Cotten  was  selected  and  music  for  it  written  by 
Mrs.  Duncan.  This  song  was  first  sung  at  the  Hender- 
son Convention  by  an  improvised  choir,  organized  and 
trained  after  the  Convention  met,  and  so  prompt  and 
energetic  was  that  Chairman  of  Music  that  it  was  sung 
at  the  opening  of  the  afternoon  session.  A  motion  was 
carried  that  it  should  be  sung  at  all  succeeding  con- 
ventions of  the  clubs. 

So  the  Federation  Song  was  first  sung  at  Henderson. 


Eighth  Convention  37 

The  reports  of  Chairmen  showed  a  wonderful  amount 
of  work  accomplished.  After  discussion  and  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  the  Chairman  of  Child  Study,  Mrs.  R.  R. 
Cotten,  that  department  was  discontinued  with  the 
understanding  that  a  Department  of  Health  would  be 
substituted  therefor. 

On  Fine  Arts  Evening  the  Convention  was  enter- 
tained by  the  Contemporary  Club  at  Henderson  in  a 
most  unique  way,  which  was  a  combination  Shake- 
spearean lecture  and  musicale  rendered  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wade  Brown,  of  Meredith  College.  This  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  reading  of  the  successful  papers  in  the 
literary  contest  inaugurated  by  Miss  Fries,  of  the  Liter- 
ature Department.  The  subjects  of  these  papers  were; 
"The  Viking  Age,"  by  Mrs.  W.  L.  Nicholson,  of  Char- 
lotte, and  the  "Development  of  the  Drama,"  by  Mrs. 
W.  C.  A.  Hammel  of  Greensboro.  At  this  meeting  it  was 
voted  that  Fine  Arts  Evening  should  become  a  perma- 
nent feature  of  the  annual  meeting.  The  literary  exer- 
cises were  interspersed  with  original  music,  selected 
from  the  scores  submitted  to  the  Music  Department. 
These  original  selections  were  the  Federation  Song, 
words  by  Mrs.  Robert  R.  Cotten,  music  by  Mrs.  E.  C. 
Duncan;  "United,"  words  and  music  by  Mrs.  Mary 
Speed  Mercer,  and  a  Lullaby,  words  by  Mrs.  "W.  H. 
Speight,  and  music  by  Mrs.  E.  C.  Duncan.  The  three 
songs  were  all  beautifully  rendered  by  local  musicians. 

Friday  morning's  session  was  called  to  order 
promptly  by  the  President.  The  Lord's  Prayer  was 
repeated  in  concert  and  the  Federation  song  again 
sung. 


38  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

A  resolution  to  revise  the  Constitution  was  read 
and  adopted.  A  Revision  Committee  composed  of  Mrs. 
R.  R.  Cotten,  Mrs.  Sol  Weil,  and  Mrs.  James  Briggs 
was  appointed  and  instructed  to  report  at  the  next 
Convention. 

Waterways  was  added  to  the  Forestry  Department. 
The  Literature  Department  reported,  as  a  result  of  co- 
operation with  the  State  Literary  and  Historical  Asso- 
ciation, two  study  outlines  for  the  use  of  clubs,'  one  on 
the  Romantic  Movement  in  English  Literature,  and  one 
on  North  Carolina  History,  the  latter  being  specially 
recommended  to  the  clubs. 

A  Department  of  Club  Extension  was  added  and 
placed  in  charge  of  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten. 

After  the  Report  of  the  Resolutions  Committee  fol- 
lowed by  the  Report  of  the  Courtesies  Committee  and 
the  acceptance  of  an  invitation  to  hold  the  next  meet- 
ing in  Asheville,  the  Convention  adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XI 
NINTH  CONVENTION 

AsHEVILLE 19 1 1 

The  activities  of  the  clubs  were  almost  innumerable 
and  clubs  were  being  organized  over  the  whole  State. 
Clean-up  Day,  screening  food  from  flies  and  dust,  get- 
ting garbage  ordinances  passed,  the  installation  of  trash 
cans  on  the  streets,  the  writing  of  county  histories,  the 
securing  and  awarding  of  scholarships,  improving  con- 
ditions in  railroad  stations,  medical  inspection  in 
schools,  drinking  fountains,  and  other  health  measures 
carried  to  success,  play  grounds  equipped,  and  so 
many  things  done  that  the  retrospect  is  wonderful  and 
inspiring.  Clean-up  Day  has  become  now  an  official 
function  of  every  self-respecting  town.  The  dust  of 
bygone  ages  has  been  removed,  sanitation  has  succeeded 
where  carelessness  with  food  once  prospered.  Man 
who  thought  housekeeping  belonged  solely  to  a  "Wom- 
an's sphere"  is  becoming  himself  a  good  public  house- 
keeper and  generally  admits  he  learned  it  from  the 
women. 

In  the  days  when  the  Federation  first  met  in  Ashe- 
ville  each  club  gave  a  report  of  work  done.  It  was 
interesting  and  stimulating,  and  naturally  the  clubs 
vied  with  each  other  in  achievements.  It  was  good  for 
all,  but  clubs  were  becoming  so  numerous  that  it  was 
difficult  to  get  all  reports  read  in  the  limited  time  of 
a   convention.      Only  two  minutes  were  allowed  each 

[39] 


40  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

President  in  which  to  tell  of  a  year's  work.  It  became 
a  problem  which  was  discussed  and  resulted  in  organiz- 
ing Districts.  It  required  several  years  to  bring  the 
arrangement  of  the  Districts  into  working  order  but 
it  was  finally  done  and  now  rests  on  a  satisfactory 
basis,  but  may  grow  into  even  greater  order  and  success. 

The  Ninth  Convention  of  the  Federation  was  called 
to  order  by  the  President,  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley,  in 
the  Assembly  Hall  of  Battery  Park  Hotel,  at  Ashe- 
ville  in  May,  1911.  The  Board  meeting  was  held  at 
the  residence  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Cocke,  followed  by  the 
usual  luncheon.  A  picture  was  taken  of  the  Board  on 
the  steps  of  Mrs.  Cocke's  home,  and  another  of  the 
entire  delegation  on  the  verandah  at  Battery  Park, 
which  are  pleasant  reminders  of  a  fine  meeting — in 
spite  of  the  predominant  Hat. 

The  Midwinter  Meeting  had  been  held  in  Oxford,  a 
town  which  abounded  in  clubs  and  in  hospitality.  The 
programs  for  the  occasion  were  decorated  with  a  hand- 
painted,  life  sized  yellow  jonquil,  apropos  of  the 
month,  and  that  blossom  seemed  like  a  bit  of  real  sun- 
shine and  was  greatly  admired.  Midwinter  Meetings 
had  become  club  reunions  and  though  much  larger  now, 
continue  to  be  reunions  of  friends  as  well  as  caretakers 
for  the  Federation. 

The  evening  session  of  the  Convention  opened  with 
greetings  from  the  clubs  of  Asheville,  expressed  by 
Mrs.  Z.  B.  Vance,  while  other  organizations  spoke 
through  Mrs.  Eugene  Glenn,  and  Miss  Grace  Jones — 
both  of  Asheville.  Mrs.  Visanska  brought  greetings 
from  the  South  Carolina  Federation  and  Mrs.  R.  R.  Wil- 


Ninth  Convention  41 

liams  spoke  for  the  City  of  Asheville.  Mrs.  Palmer 
Jerrnan  responded  for  the  North  Carolina  Federation. 
Then  came  the  address  of  the  President,  Mrs.  Reilley, 
and  an  address  by  Mrs.  Philip  ]ST.  Moore,  of  St.  Louis, 
President  of  the  General  Federation.  A  reception 
followed  to  the  officers,  delegates,  and  visitors  by  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  J.  I.  Alexander,  of  the  Battery  Park  Hotel. 

The  first  business  session  on  "Wednesday  morning  was 
opened  with  the  singing  of  "Carolina."  Then  followed 
reports  from  officers,  committees  and  departments. 
Mrs.  P.  P.  Gotten,  Chairman  of  Club  Extension,  re- 
ported 21  new  clubs,  which  brought  the  number  of  clubs 
to  79  and  the  membership  to  more  than  2300.  The 
Credentials  Committee  reported  a  voting  strength  of 
100.  Again  the  membership  and  voting  strength  had 
doubled  in  two  years,  and  all  the  reports  indicated  a 
state  of  healthy  activity  and  much  interest.  The  Liter- 
ature Department  reported  52  clubs,  with  1550  mem- 
bers doing  literary  work,  and  two  new  outlines  for 
study  ready  for  use,  one  on  American  Literature  and 
one  on  North  Carolina  History  and  Literature.  The 
Education  Department  reported  14  scholarships  in  use, 
and  one  given  by  Salem  College,  the  first  woman's 
college  to  place  a  scholarship  at  the  disposal  of  the 
clubs.  In  Civics  a  great  awakening  was  reported. 
Many  Civic  Leagues  were  being  formed  and  34  fede- 
rated clubs  were  doing  civic  work. 

The  Department  of  Industrial  and  Child  Labor  was 
again  given  a  new  name,  that  of  Constructive  Philan- 
thropy.    The  Chairman,  Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper,  reported 


42  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

$1,000  in  hand  for  the  cottage  at  the  Stonewall 
Jackson  Training  School,  and  she  was  instructed  to 
present  check  for  the  full  amount  to  the  King's  Daugh- 
ters at  their  approaching  Convention.  Illness  in  the 
family  of  Mrs.  Cooper  prevented  her  attendance  at  that 
Convention,  and  at  her  request,  Mrs.  Cotten,  who  in 
the  meantime  had  been  elected  President  of  the  Fed- 
eration, presented  the  check  and  expressed  the  good 
wishes  of  the  clubwomen  for  the  work  of  the  King's 
Daughters  and  for  the  School  at  Concord. 

In  June,  1912,  the  King's  Daughters  held  another 
meeting — that  time  in  their  cottage  at  the  School,  at 
which  time  a  tablet  placed  on  the  Cottage,  commemo- 
rating the  donation  from  the  Federation  was  unveiled 
by  Mrs.  Cooper  for  the  King's  Daughters,  and  acknowl- 
edged by  Mrs.  Cotten,  then  serving  as  President  of  the 
Federation.  The  spirit  of  unity  and  love  which  per- 
vaded that  occasion  marked  an  epoch  in  cooperative 
philanthropy  in  this  State. 

The  subject  of  an  endowment  for  the  General  Fed- 
eration was  eloquently  presented  by  Mrs.  W.  G.  Rogers, 
and  the  North  Carolina  Federation  was  asked  to 
double  its  dues  to  the  General  Federation  for  one  year, 
for  the  endowment.  The  clubs  were  asked  to  contribute 
individually  to  that  fund.  It  was  voted  to  double  the 
dues  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  for  one  year, 
as  requested,  but  the  clubs  were  left  to  use  their  own 
discretion  as  to  individual  contributions. 

The  endowment  idea  seemed  contagious,  and  it  was 
suggested  by  Mrs.  P.  P.  Cotten  to  start  one  for  the 
North  Carolina  Federation,  and  to  incorporate  the  or- 


Ninth  Convention  43 

ganization,  thus  giving  it  a  business  basis  and  a  legal 
status.  Mrs.  Cotten  was  authorized  to  choose  a  com- 
mittee to  help  her  start  such  an  endowment. 

Moved  by  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook  that  the  Nominating 
Committee  be  composed  of  five  members,  elected  by  bal- 
lot from  those  previously  nominated  from  the  floor, 
the  five  receiving  the  highest  vote  to  be  declared  elected. 
This  was  amended  by  Dr.  Carroll  by  adding  that  no 
two  nominees  should  be  from  the  same  town.  The 
amendment  was  accepted  by  Mrs.  Hook  and  the  motion 
passed.  The  ballot  for  the  Nominating  Committee 
showed  the  following  names  elected :  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper, 
Mrs.  Whiteford  Smith,  Miss  Adelaide  Fries,  Mrs.  W.  E. 
Hollo  well,  and  Dr.  Dixon-Carroll. 

The  evening  session  was  Fine  Arts  Evening  with  Mrs. 
James  Briggs,  Second  Vice  President,  presiding.  The 
music  rendered  and  papers  read  were  the  prize  win- 
ners in  the  contests  conducted  by  the  Departments  of 
Literature  and  Music. 

Miss  Fries  reported  for  Literature  and  the  success- 
ful paper  was  on  "The  History  of  our  Country,"  by 
Mrs.  J.  P.  Lucas,  of  Charlotte.  Another  paper  on 
"What  Study  Clubs  are  worth  to  North  Carolina"  read 
by  Mrs.  Frank  Martin  was  heard  with  deep  interest. 

Mrs.  E.  C.  Duncan  reported  for  the  Music  Depart- 
ment. The  prize  winner  for  original  music  was  Miss 
Janie  Alexander  Patterson.  It  was  a  piano  solo — "The 
Flight."  Other  original  music  by  Miss  Louise  Bahn- 
son,   "Alma   Mater"   and   "The   Sweetest   Flower   that 


44  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Blows"  were  rendered  and  enjoyed.  It  was  before  the 
days  of  silver  cups,  but  the  writing  of  original  music 
was  being  stimulated. 

The  Thursday  morning  session  was  promptly  con- 
vened, and  after  prayer  by  Rev.  Clarence  Reynolds, 
business  progressed  rapidly  consisting  principally  of 
reports. 

The  report  of  the  Nominating  Committee  was  called 
for,  and  the  following  submitted,  after  the  appoint- 
ment of  tellers.  President,  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten;  First 
Vice  President,  Mrs.  Palmer  Jerman;  Second  Vice 
President,  Miss  Grace  Jones;  Recording  Secretary, 
Mrs.  G.  W.  Whitsett;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Miss 
Mary  Irvin  Bridgers;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  B.  K.  Hays; 
Auditor,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Conrad ;  General  Federation  State 
Secretary,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Stover.  The  report  was  ac- 
cepted and  nominations  from  the  floor  called  for.  Miss 
Gertrude  Weil  was  nominated  for  General  Federation 
State  Secretary  by  Mrs.  E.  C.  Duncan.  Mrs.  C.  C. 
Hook  was  nominated  by  Mrs.  F.  L.  Stevens  for  the 
same  office.  Miss  Weil  declined  to  allow  her  name  to 
be  used,  which  left  two  candidates  for  this  office,  Mrs. 
M.  L.  Stover  and  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook.  The  ballot  showed 
Mrs.  Hook  elected.  ~No  other  nominations  being  made, 
the  report  of  the  Nominating  Committee  was  accepted 
and  the  names  presented,  with  Mrs.  Hook  as  General 
Federation  Secretary  were  declared  elected,  and  the 
meeting  adjourned  for  luncheon.  A  drive  to  Biltmore 
filled  the  afternoon. 

The  Friday  morning  session  was  filled  with  reports 
from  53  clubs  and  a  few  chairmen. 


Ninth  Convention  45 

The  report  of  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  Con- 
stitution and  By-Laws  was  called  for.  Mrs.  Gotten 
read  the  new  Constitution  and  the  By-Laws,  article 
by  article,  section  by  section,  and  after  much  discussion 
and  some  amendments,  the  new  Constitution  and  By- 
Laws  were  accepted  as  a  whole  and  Mrs.  Cotten  moved 
it  be  substituted  for  the  old.  This  was  carried,  and  a 
vote  of  thanks  given  the  Revision  Committee. 

The  afternoon  session  brought  the  report  of  the 
Resolutions  Committee,  and  those  resolutions  which 
were  adopted  were  ordered  printed  in  the  Year  Book. 
It  had  never  been  done  before  but  it  was  a  wise  step 
and  continues  until  now,  for  even  good  resolutions  are 
so  easily  forgotten  and  fail  of  accomplishment. 

Under  new  business  was  read  a  letter  from  Dr. 
J.  I.  Foust,  President  State  Normal  and  Industrial 
School,  offering  to  cooperate  with  the  women's  clubs 
of  the  State,  in  issuing  Bulletins,  and  aiding  in  other 
ways  to  benefit  the  women  of  the  State.  Mrs.  C.  C. 
Hook  moved  that  the  Chairman  of  Education  accept 
the  cooperation  of  the  State  Normal  and  Industrial 
School  so  far  as  possible,  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  Fed- 
eration. The  report  on  Courtesies  was  read  by  Mrs. 
Al  Fairbrother,  and  accepted. 

New  Bern,  through  Mrs.  Monroe  Howell,  extended 
an  invitation  from  the  home  club  for  the  Federation  to 
hold  its  next  meeting  in  that  City. 

Miss  Adelaide  Fries,  for  the  federated  clubs  of  Win- 
ston-Salem, also  invited  the  Federation,  asking  Mrs. 
Howell  to  withdraw  her  invitation  in  favor  of  Win- 
ston-Salem, reminding  the  women  that  Federation  was 
born  in  Winston-Salem,  and  it  seemed  fitting  that  every 


46  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

tenth  anniversary  should  be  held  there.  Mrs.  Howell 
graciously  consented  and  Winston-Salem  secured  the 
next  meeting.     Adjournment  followed. 

Among  the  many  pleasures  planned  by  Asheville  for 
the  pleasure  of  the  clubwomen,  was  the  performance  by 
the  Ben  Greet  Players  of  "A  Midsummer  Night's 
Dream."  It  was  the  courtesy  of  the  Men's  Clubs  and 
gave  great  pleasure  to  all. 

Another  notable  feature  of  that  Convention  was  the 
presence  of  many  officials  of  the  General  Federation. 
Mrs.  Philip  1ST.  Moore,  President  of  the  General  Fed- 
eration, was  the  guest  of  honor  and  through  all  the 
sessions  gave  generously  of  her  wisdom  and  experience. 
Mrs.  Reilley,  the  North  Carolina  President,  was  her- 
self at  that  time  a  Director  on  the  General  Federation 
Board.  Mrs.  Alvin  Bailey,  of  Massachusetts,  was  also 
present  throughout  the  Convention,  and  one  sunny  day 
there  came  to  the  Convention  a  bewildering  bevy  of 
women,  Mrs.  George  Welch,  Recording  Secretary  of  the 
General  Federation,  all  the  way  from  far  off  Minne- 
sota; Mrs.  J.  L.  Washburn,  Past  President  of  Minne- 
sota Federation;  and  Mrs.  Coonley-Ward,  of  Chicago, 
who  has  served  many  organizations  in  many  capacities, 
and  whose  cheery  greetings  on  that  day  linger  in  the 
memories  of  many  women  she  never  knew. 

The  Convention  was  a  brilliant  success.  The  Ashe- 
ville papers  spoke  of  the  clubwomen  as  being  "fair 
to  look  upon  and  good  to  listen  to"  and  several  compli- 
mentary editorials  after  the  women  had  departed,  con- 
vinced the  most  doubtful  of  the  sincerity  of  the  editors. 
Happiness  and  hope  for  the  future  reigned  and  all  left 
the  Land  of  the  Sky  with  regret. 


CHAPTER  XII 

TENTH  CONVENTION 

Winston-Salem — 1912 
Greenville  Council — 1912 

The  new  Constitution  adopted  at  Asheville  provided 
for  a  Council,  which  included  the  Department  Chair- 
men and  the  Executive  Board  and  called  for  a  meeting 
between  the  annual  conventions.  So  what  had  been 
known  as  the  Midwinter  Meeting  became  the  Council 
Meeting  and  so  continues. 

This  meeting  was  held  in  Greenville,  at  the  invitation 
of  the  clubs  of  that  town.  The  opening  session  was 
held  in  the  court  room  of  the  Pitt  County  Court  House, 
where  words  of  welcome  were  heard  and  responded  to 
most  sincerely  by  Mrs.  G.  W.  Whitsett,  Recording 
Secretary. 

The  second  evening  session  was  held  in  the  spacious 
auditorium  of  the  Teachers'  Training  School,  now  the 
North  Carolina  Teachers'  College — then  and  now  the 
pride  of  Eastern  Carolina.  Short  addresses  were  made 
by  officers  and  chairmen  of  Departments,  followed  by 
an  able  address  by  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook,  who  captivated 
the  audience  with  her  oratory  and  wit.  President 
Wright  gave  a  stirring  welcome  to  all,  and  seeing  the 
late  Governor  Jarvis  in  the  audience  called  on  him  for 
a  few  words.  In  his  quiet,  wise  way  he  responded,  and 
then  at  the  close,  a  request  from  the  floor  brought  the 
entire  audience  to  its  feet  and  all  sang  "Dixie"  with 
a  ring. 

A  reception  by  the  faculty  and  students  followed. 

[47] 


48  Histoey  of  "Women's  Clubs 

As  recommended  at  the  Asheville  Convention,  the 
State  had  been  divided  into  eight  districts,  each  of 
which  was  supposed  to  hold  an  annual  meeting,  so  that 
the  clubwomen  of  each  district  might  get  together  and 
gain  from  each  other  help  and  inspiration.  It  was  for 
some  time  called  "Keciprocity  Day"  hoping  to  make 
the  clubs  take  the  hint  and  return  the  hospitality  of 
the  District  entertaining  them.  The  district  work  was 
in  its  infancy  and  presented  many  perplexing  prob- 
lems. After  many  changes  and  vicissitudes,  the  District 
Meetings  have  become  popular  and  successful,  bringing 
pleasure  and  benefit  to  the  women,  even  prizes  being 
awarded  to  the  District  doing  finest  work. 


The  Convention  which  met  in  Winston-Salem  in 
May,  1912,  marked  a  decade  of  growth  in  the  life  of  the 
Federation  and  inevitably  the  opening  exercises  fol- 
lowed retrospective  lines.  The  recital  of  the  events 
of  progress  during  ten  years,  stirred  the  love  of  the 
clubwomen  for  their  Federation,  and  aroused  new  zeal. 
The  loyal  women  who  served  the  Federation  in  the 
days  of  its  early  evolution,  were  all  living  to  be  proud 
of  the  success  of  their  plans.  They  builded  well  and 
their  co-workers  delighted  to  honor  them. 

The  Council  met  at  Bramlette,  the  beautiful  home 
of  Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson,  the  first  President,  who 
entertained  at  luncheon  after  the  business  meeting. 
The  inevitable  picture  of  the  Council  was  taken  at 
Bramlette  with  four  Past  Presidents,  and  the  inevit- 
able and  unreformed  Hat,  much  in  evidence. 


Tenth  Convention  49 

The  Board  of  Directors  met  in  the  afternoon. 

The  opening  session  was  most  appropriately  held  at 
Salem  College,  where  the  Federation  was  organized  in 
1902.  The  invocation  was  made  by  the  venerable  Bishop 
Eondthaler.  The  clubs  of  Winston-Salem,  of  men  and 
of  women,  the  TJ.  D.  C,  and  the  D.  A.  R.,  the  Twin- 
City  officials  and  Salem  College  itself,  all  united  in 
such  hearty  welcome  as  made  the  occasion  a  genuine 
home-coming  for  the  clubs. 

Their  thanks  were  beautifully  expressed  by  the  Yice 
President,  Miss  Grace  Jones,  after  which  all  united 
in  singing  the  Federation  Song. 

Each  Past  President  then  gave  a  resume  of  the 
events  of  her  administration,  which  showed  the  growth 
of  the  work.  Mrs.  Patterson  in  her  own  unique  way 
told  of  the  trials  and  vicissitudes  which  characterized 
her  efforts  to  lead  North  Carolina  women  "in  the  way 
they  should  go"  by  inducing  them  to  join  the  new 
Federation. 

Then  followed  a  beautiful  tribute  to  Miss  Candler, 
the  first  Secretary  of  the  organization. 

Mrs.  J.  T.  Alderman,  the  Second  President,  was  un- 
avoidably absent,  to  the  regret  of  all. 

The  next  incumbent,  Miss  Margaret  Lovell  Gibson, 
took  up  the  story  and  related  the  activities  of  her  ad- 
ministration. Mrs.  Eugene  Eeilley  followed  with  many 
facts  of  interest  which  filled  her  term  of  office  as 
Fourth  President.  Mrs.  Robert  Cotten,  Fifth  President, 
represented  the  present  time.  She  had  no  reminiscences 
to  offer  but  told  of  the  status  of  the  work  and  prophe- 
sied future  greatness  for  the  organization. 
4 


50  Histoby  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  addresses  were  followed  by  a  reception  ten- 
dered by  Salem  College. 

On  "Wednesday,  May  7,  the  business  sessions  began 
at  Winston-Salem,  with  the  President,  Mrs.  Robert 
Gotten  in  the  chair.  Officers  and  chairmen  reported, 
and  necessary  committees  were  appointed.  Fourteen 
new  clubs  were  reported,  which  despite  three  with- 
drawals left  a  total  of  87  clubs  with  a  voting  strength 
of  127  present.  Progress  was  progressing  and  the  in- 
creasing strength  was  accepted  as  an  augury  of  better 
things  to  come. 

A  report  on  "The  Legal  Status  of  Women  in  North 
Carolina"  aroused  much  discussion,  for  the  women  of 
North  Carolina  seemed  to  have  no  legal  status.  It  had 
been  decided  to  make  an  effort  to  have  women  per- 
mitted to  serve  on  the  school  boards  of  the  State  but 
the  State  Constitution,  like  a  stone  wall,  confronted 
the  effort.  The  President,  Mrs.  Cotten,  had  interviewed 
the  Attorney  General  of  the  State,  Mr.  T.  W.  Bickett, 
later  Governor  of  the  State,  expecting  to  take  to  the 
Winston-Salem  Convention  some  cheering  message  to 
encourage  the  women  in  the  effort.  On  the  contrary 
he  assured  her  that  the  Constitution  of  the  State  abso- 
lutely debarred  women  from  such  public  service,  and 
so  she  reported  to  the  assembled  clubwomen.  It  was 
an  appalling  fact,  but  the  women  were  undaunted  and 
it  was  unanimously  voted  to  enlarge  the  committee, 
pursue  the  investigation  and  report  at  the  next  Con- 
vention. Women  were  awakening  to  their  own  need 
of  opportunity  for  service. 


Tenth  Convention  51 

Before  time  for  the  next  Federation  Convention,  the 
Federation  of  Clubs,  in  cooperation  with  the  Teachers' 
Assembly  had  succeeded  in  getting  passed  by  the  North 
Carolina  Legislature,  a  statute  permitting  women  to 
serve  on  the  school  boards  of  the  State.  Since  that 
time,  women  have  gained  much  in  "legal  status,"  being 
now  full  fledged  citizens  with  the  many  privileges  of 
citizenship.  Looking  back,  it  seems  such  a  simple 
thing,  getting  on  the  school  boards,  but  it  was  then 
difficult  to  accomplish  in  the  face  of  custom,  prejudice, 
tradition,  and  law,  but  it  was  done.  At  Winston- 
Salem  an  innovation  in  the  regular  routine  of  conven- 
tions, was  an  automobile  drive  to  Kernersville,  in  re- 
sponse to  an  invitation  from  the  Kernersville  Woman's 
Club,  to  hold  one  session  there.  It  occurred  on  an  after- 
noon and  the  meeting  was  held  in  the  Moravian  Church 
at  Kernersville.  The  address  of  welcome  was  written 
by  a  member  of  that  club,  Miss  Dore  Korner  and  sent 
from  far  away  Paris,  to  prove  that  distance  is  no  bar 
to  cooperation  when  one  is  genuinely  interested.  The 
meeting  was  followed  by  a  reception  at  the  residence 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilmer  Korner,  after  which  the  auto- 
mobiles sped  back  to  Winston-Salem  in  time  for  the 
evening  session.  Good  roads  and  automobiles  make 
many  things  possible.  Fine  Arts  evening  brought  out 
a  prize  winning  paper  on  "Virginia  Dare,"  by  Miss 
Helen  Montague,  and  three  splendid  poems,  "The 
Phantom  Gold,"  by  Mrs.  Mary  Groom  McNinch ;  "The 
Mother,"  by  Mrs.  Eugene  Glenn;  and  Mammy,"  by 
Miss  S.  O'H.  Dickson;  all  of  which  were  read  to  the 
Convention. 


52  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

In  the  Music  Department  the  winning  numhers  were 
"The  Holy  Child"  by  Janie  A.  Patterson;  "Sundown 
and  Maytime"  by  Mrs.  A.  D.  Glascock,  both  of  which 
were  rendered  during  the  evening. 

The  reports  at  each  successive  session  showed  great 
activity  on  all  lines,  but  especially  on  Health  lines,  43 
clubs  being  reported  as  doing  active  health  work.  The 
Civic  Department,  as  a  result  of  the  activity  of  the 
Chairman,  Mrs.  A.  B.  Kimball,  presented  to  the  Fed- 
eration a  valuable  stereopticon,  with  many  slides,  for 
use  in  promoting  the  work  of  Civics  and  Health.  A 
lecture  explaining  the  slides  accompanied  the  stereop- 
ticon and  any  club  could  use  it  by  having  the  lecture 
read  aloud  as  the  slides  were  used.  In  some  unaccount- 
able way  that  stereopticon  was  lost,  but  the  civics  ac- 
tivities of  the  Club  continue. 

The  Chairman  of  Conservation,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Cocke, 
reported  that  the  petition  from  the  Federation  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  North  Carolina  University  in  regard 
to  a  chair  of  Forestry  at  that  Institution,  had  been  pre- 
sented to  the  Trustees  and  they  had  replied  that  all 
funds  appropriated  by  the  Legislature  are  specifically 
named  for  certain  purposes,  and  they  had  no  power  to 
direct  such  money  into  other  channels,  hence  no  right 
to  establish  a  chair  of  Forestry  without  funds  to  main- 
tain it.     Another  lesson  for  women  in  legal  procedure! 

The  subject  of  an  endowment  for  the  Federation  was 
fully  discussed.  The  Chairman  of  Finance,  Mrs.  D.  Y. 
Cooper,  reported  more  than  $400  on  hand  for  the  fund. 
By  an  overwhelming  vote  the  Federation  took  up  the 


Tenth  Convention  53 

duty  of  raising  an  endowment,  as  a  permanent  work 
for  all  the  clubs. 

The  Treasurer  reported  a  deficit.  The  women  gasped. 
A  deficit!  A  deficit!  What  could  women  do  with  a 
deficit?    What  did  men  do  with  a  deficit? 

Discussion  revealed  both  a  sense  of  humor  and  a 
sense  of  business.  Finally  a  collection  was  taken  up, 
the  Treasury  replenished,  the  Treasurer  made  happy, 
and  the  plan  for  an  endowment  more  heartily  endorsed. 
Even  with  ten  cents  per  capita  dues,  that  was  the  first 
and  last  "deficit." 

Mrs.  John  Hays  Hammond,  and  Mrs.  Chew  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.j  appeared  before  the  Convention  repre- 
senting the  Welfare  Department  of  the  National  Civic 
Federation,  and  solicited  cooperation  in  the  effort  to 
erect  a  memeorial  to  the  victims  of  the  Titanic  disaster. 
]STo  action  was  taken. 

The  name  of  the  Department  of  Constructive  Phil- 
anthropy was  again  changed,  and  became  the  Depart- 
ment of  Social  Service — with  each  new  christening  get 
ting  a  better  name  for  the  same  work.  Under  the  new 
Constitution  only  three  new  officers  had  to  be  elected, 
the  other  officers  retaining  their  places  for  another 
year.  The  result  of  the  election  was :  First  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  Sidney  P.  Cooper;  Recording  Secretary, 
Miss  Gertrude  Weil;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  A.  B.  Kimball. 
The  invitation  to  meet  in  New  Bern  was  again  pre- 
sented and  accepted.  The  courtesies  Committee  re- 
ported and  adjournment  followed. 

Among  many  delightful  courtesies  which  marked  the 
Tenth  Convention  one  stands  out  as  worthy  of  special 


54  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

mention.  It  was  the  use  of  a  beautiful  automobile 
with,  its  attentive  chauffeur  dedicated  solely  to  the  use 
of  the  President.  Decorated  with  sprigs  of  pine  tied 
with  blue  and  white  ribbon,  and  labeled  "The  Presi- 
dent's Car,"  it  stood  each  day  at  her  command,  to  take 
her  to  and  from  the  meetings,  to  expedite  errands,  or 
transport  business  messengers  as  was  needed,  always  at 
the  President's  command,  and  always  a  great  joy  and 
very  useful. 

Thus  after  a  retrospect  covering  a  decade  of  growth, 
the  North  Carolina  Federation  adjourned  determined 
to  crown  its  worthy  past  with  a  more  active  future. 

It  had  been  born  of  a  desire  to  unite  women  for 
mutual  helpfulness,  and  nourished  by  the  loyalty,  aspi- 
rations and  work  of  its  members.  Thus  born  and  thus 
nourished  its  destiny  is  to  grow  in  strength  and  useful- 
ness and  to  produce  fruits  worthy  of  the  civilization  of 
the  future. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

ELEVENTH  CONVENTION 

New  Been— 1913 

Taeboro  Council — 1913 

The  object  of  the  Council  Meeting  was  to  discuss 
ways  for  promoting  the  work  of  the  Eederation.  At 
first  it  was  composed  of  the  Executive  Board  and 
Chairmen  of  Departments.  The  new  Constitution 
adopted  at  Asheville  in  1911  recognized  the  importance 
of  the  Standing  Committees  and  the  By-Laws  were 
amended,  making  the  chairmen  of  those  committees 
members  of  the  Council.  As  the  Eederation  grew  in 
numbers  and  influence,  it  required  greater  cooperation 
between  its  various  representatives,  which  was  brought 
about  by  the  conferences  composed  of  those  workers, 
all  of  whom  had  the  same  end  in  view. 

In  January,  1913,  the  Council  met  in  Tarboro  as 
the  guest  of  the  Tarboro  Civic  League.  Words  of  wel- 
come from  the  Civic  League,  the  Magazine  Club,  the 
U.  D.  C,  the  D.  A.  E.,  the  Country  Club,  and  the 
Board  of  Trade  greeted  the  visitors  and  made  them 
happy. 

The  President,  Mrs.  Cotten,  having  once  lived  in 
Tarboro,  found  double  pleasure  in  meeting  old  friends, 
whether  clubwomen  or  just  friends.  Much  business 
was  transacted.  The  new  Charter  for  the  Eederation 
had  been  secured  and  the  Council  members  present  had 
the  honor  of  signing  that  document.     Their  signatures 

[55] 


56  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

were  attested  by  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Edgecombe 
County.  Thus  is  was  legally  fitted  for  final  record  as 
a  legal  document  to  be  officially  presented  to  the  ap- 
proaching Convention  in  May. 

At  the  request  of  the  President,  drawings  for  an 
official  seal  were  submitted  to  the  Council  by  Mrs.  E.  F. 
Reid,  Chairman  of  Art.  The  one  selected  was  a  circle 
surrounding  the  words  "North  Carolina  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs,"  with  a  sprig  of  pine,  the  Federation 
emblem  in  the  center.  Mrs.  Eeid  was  instructed  to 
have  a  seal  made  from  the  accepted  design,  and  thanks 
given  for  her  zeal  in  the  matter. 

The  proverbial  hospitality  of  Tarboro  was  much  in 
evidence.  Luncheons,  receptions,  teas,  theater  parties, 
and  constant  courtesies  made  the  meeting  full  of  pleas- 
ant memories  for  all  who  attended. 

The  rearrangement  of  districts  was  fully  discussed 
at  that  Council  Meeting.  Changes  in  policies,  or  in 
personnel  are  often  followed  by  some  confusion.  The 
triumph  over  such  confusion  is  victory,  which  was  true 
of  the  division  of  the  Federation  into  districts  with 
their  annual  meetings,  all  fostered  and  promoted  by 
the  mother  organization.  It  was  difficult  to  arrange 
the  districts  scattered  over  several  counties  so  their 
clubs  could  meet  and  return  home  the  same  day  as  was 
often  necessary  for  mothers  and  home-makers.  The 
railroads  did  not  see  it  as  their  duty  to  change  their 
schedules  to  suit  the  women,  so  like  Mohammed  and 
the  mountain,  the  women  revised  their  districts  until 
a  majority  of  the  clubs  could  attend  the  meetings.  The 
work  of  arranging  and  revising  of  districts  extended 


Eleventh  Convention  57 

over  several  administrations  before  reaching  its  pres- 
ent status.  A  Department  of  Reciprocity  was  added 
to  the  work,  which  became  a  literary  exchange  of 
original  papers  on  subjects  ranging  from  the  "Myths 
of  History"  to  the  "Loves  of  George  Washington" ; 
from  the  feeding  of  infants  to  the  development  of  brain 
cells.  Nothing  was  so  occult  as  to  intimidate  the  wo- 
men of  that  day  and  they  studied  that  which  they  at- 
tempted. Club  work  has  been  an  university  to  many 
women,  who  have  learned  that  self-culture  is  the  surest 
and  best  culture.  A  booklet  issued  by  Mrs.  A.  H. 
Powell,  when  she  was  Chairman  of  Reciprocity  in  1912, 
contained  a  list  of  papers  numbering  172,  on  many  sub- 
jects, all  ready  to  be  loaned  to  any  club  studying  the 
respective  subjects.  It  was  called  the  Reciprocity 
Bureau,  and  each  club  was  requested  to  send  in  the 
most  interesting  and  instructive  papers  written  by  its 
members. 

That  Reciprocity  Bureau  was  the  forerunner  of  the 
Bureau  of  Information,  which  still  follows  its  mis- 
sion of  helping  women  to  gain  knowledge.  It  was  in 
the  beginning  an  experiment  but  has  now  become  a 
part  of  the  Extension  work  of  the  North  Carolina  Uni- 
versity. In  the  meantime  Reciprocity  Day  developed 
into  District  Meetings,  where  subjects  of  broad  inter- 
est, which  limited  time  kept  from  discussion  at  Con- 
ventions, were  discussed  and  the  exchange  of  opinion 
often  led  to  more  illuminated  outlook,  and  enabled 
the  women  to  enter  the  Convention  discussions  without 
embarrassment.         Non-federated     clubs     were     often 


58  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

guests  and  caught  the  infection,  and  joined  the  State 
organization. 


In  May,  1913,  the  Eleventh  Convention  met  in  New 
Bern,  "the  Athens  of  North  Carolina."  The  meeting 
was  characterized  by  great  harmony  and  an  unity  of 
effort  never  surpassed.  The  Council  met  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Mrs.  S.  L.  Dill,  Jr.,,  President  of  the  hostess 
club,  and  was  followed  by  a  much  enjoyed  luncheon. 
The  inevitable  picture  of  the  Council  was  taken  and 
the  ubiquitous  Hat  was  found  much  reduced  in  size, 
showing  to  better  advantage  the  faces  of  the  women. 
The  Board  of  Directors  met  in  the  Elks'  Temple,  Mrs. 
Cotten  presiding,  and  much  routine  business  was 
transacted. 

The  first  session  was  held  that  evening  in  Griffin 
Memorial  Hall,  Miss  Mabel  Chadwick  presiding. 
Greetings  from  many  organizations  overwhelmed  the 
clubwomen  with  appreciation.  Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper 
spoke  for  the  Federation,  after  which  the  Memorial 
Hall  rang  with  the  Federation  Song.  Those  who  had 
learned  to  sing  it,  did  so  with  zeal,  those  who  had  not 
learned  it,  regretted  their  negligence. 

The  address  of  the  President  followed.  She  gave 
the  glad  tidings  of  the  passage  of  a  statute  admitting 
women  to  the  school  boards  of  the  State,  and  begged 
them  to  improve  the  new  field  of  service  opened  to 
them.  The  announcement  was  greeted  with  enthusi- 
astic applause.     She  reported  the  legal  incorporation  of 


Eleventh  Convention  59 

the  Federation,  the  signing  of  the  Charter,  the  adop- 
tion and  making  of  the  Seal  from  a  design  by  the 
Chairman  of  Art. 

She  reported  Certificates  of  stock  were  ready  for 
clubs  which  had  contributed  to  the  Endowment  and  in- 
dividual Certificates  of  Membership  for  all  Federation 
members,  to  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  Endow- 
ment, that  each  woman  might  have  evidence  of  her 
membership. 

In  her  address,  the  President  recommended  that  a 
Board  of  Trustees  be  formed  to  assume  charge  of  the 
Endowment,  and  to  advise  as  to  the  use  of  the  income 
to  be  derived  from  it.  Said  Board  to  be  composed  of  the 
President  of  the  Federation,  the  Chairman  of  Finance, 
and  three  others  to  be  elected  by  the  Convention,  to 
serve  respectively  two,  four,  and  six  years. 

She  recommended  the  adoption  of  a  motto,  and  a 
request  had  been  sent  to  all  the  clubs  asking  that  sug- 
gestions for  such  a  motto  be  submitted. 

Many  other  thoughts  and  suggestions  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Federation  were  made  and  received  with 
enthusiasm. 

Then  followed  an  interesting  address  by  Miss  Julia 
Lathrop,  Chief  of  the  Children's  Bureau,  who  explained 
in  a  concise  and  illuminating  way  the  methods  of  work 
and  sphere  of  usefulness  of  that  Bureau.  She  was  the 
Honor  Guest  of  the  Federation  and  every  one  enjoyed 
her  talk  and  her  charming  personality. 

A  feature  of  the  program  was  the  delightful  music 
rendered  by  the  Italian  Orchestra  from  Boston,  and  the 
singing  by  Mrs.  Horace  Dowell  of  Raleigh.     The  close 


60  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

of  the  exercises  was  followed  by  a  beautiful  reception 
at  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Blades. 

The  first  business  session  was  called  to  order  by  the 
President  in  Elks'  Temple  on  Wednesday  morning. 
The  blessing  of  God  was  invoked  on  the  meeting  by 
Rev.   J.  B.  Hurley. 

The  necessary  committees  were  appointed,  the 
Charter  and  Seal  were  presented,  the  Certificates  of 
Membership  were  where  they  could  be  inspected,  as  also 
was  the  Scrap  Book  compiled  by  Mrs.  G.  W.  Whitsett, 
which  contained  clippings  and  souvenirs  of  the  first 
ten  years  of  Federation  history.  The  Scrap  Book  was 
made  the  permanent  charge  of  each  succeeding  Record- 
ing Secretary,  thus  keeping  history  true. 

Reports  of  officers  and  chairmen  followed.  A  Nom- 
inating Committee  was  elected,  tellers  appointed,  Rules 
and  Regulations  adopted  and  the  meeting  adjourned 
to  be  transported  in  a  house-boat  called  appropriately 
Comfort,  to  Glenburnie  Park,  where  an  al  fresco  lunch- 
eon was  served. 

The  afternoon  session  was  called  to  order  in  the 
Grandstand  at  Glenburnie  Park  where  the  obligations 
of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  to  the  General  Fed- 
eration Endowment  was  discussed  and  pledges  taken  to 
complete  it. 

Facing  a  threatening  storm  the  session  adjourned 
and  all  returned  in  safety  to  New  Bern  on  board  the 
Comfort. 

The  evening  session  was  Fine  Arts  Evening,  with  in- 
teresting reports  interspersed  with  good  music.  The 
Chairman  of  Music  reported  and  announced  the  win- 


Eleventh  Convention  61 

riing  number  in  the  Music  Contest  to  be  "Cradle  Song" 
by  Miss  Janie  Patterson  of  Concord  who  rendered  the 
song  and  to  whom  the  gold  medal  was  presented. 

The  contest  in  the  Literature  Department  had  become 
a  permanent  feature,  and  Mrs.  Gordon  Finger  of  Char- 
lotte was  announced  the  winner  in  the  contest.  She 
read  her  story  "Across  the  Sauratown"  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  song  '"Carolina  Hills"  composed  by  Mrs. 
A.  D.  Glascock,  and  sung  by  Miss  Janie  Patterson. 
The  prize  poems  "Limitation"  and  "Echoes"  were 
both  won  by  Mrs.  Charles  Ives  of  New  Bern  and  read 
by  Miss  Mary  Hendren. 

Thursday  morning  was  filled  with  fine  reports  from 
Clubs  and  from  Departments.  The  details  of  all  Fed- 
eration history  can  be  found  only  in  the  individual 
clubs  and  only  the  general  outline  of  progress  can  be 
given  at  Conventions. 

The  Finance  Committee  reported  nearly  $1,000  on 
hand  for  the  Endowment.  Before  the  ISTew  Bern  Con- 
vention closed  the  amount  was  largely  increased  and 
the  Federation  was  rapidly  attaining  a  "business  basis." 

The  report  of  the  Chairman  on  Legal  Status  of 
"Women  was  of  special  interest.  She  gave  the  details  of 
the  cooperation  between  the  Teachers'  Assembly  and 
the  Federation  of  Clubs.  She  recounted  the  handi- 
caps encountered  in  getting  the  bill  through  the  Legis- 
lature enabling  women  to  serve  on  school  boards.  After 
being  killed  twice,  it  was  introduced  the  third  time  and 
passed.  In  reply  to  a  personal  letter  from  the  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  Cotten,  the  clubwomen  bombarded  the  legis- 
lators with  letters   and   telegrams   while   the  bill  was 


62  Histoky  of  Women's  Clubs 

being  discussed  so  that  no  one  could  fail  to  understand 
the  wish  of  the  women.  The  vote  was  39  to  39,  but 
the  Speaker  broke  the  tie  by  voting  for  it.  A  rising 
vote  of  thanks  was  given  him  for  his  courage  and 
the  Chairman,  Miss  Royster,  for  her  aid.  The  first 
woman  to  be  appointed  to  a  school  committee  under 
the  new  law  was  Mrs.  Junius  Daniel  of  Vance  County, 
and  a  message  of  congratulation  and  encouragement 
was  sent  her  from  the  Federation  in  Convention 
assembled. 

Another  report  of  special  interest  which  bore  immedi- 
ate fruit  was  made  by  Mrs.  M.  L.  Stover,  Chairman  of 
Education.  She  reported  that  the  money  raised  by  the 
Education  Committee,  which  had  kept  a  girl  for  four 
years  at  the  State  Normal  had  all  been  repaid  with  in- 
terest and  the  full  amount  $250  was  in  the  Treasury 
ready  for  use.  She  offered  a  resolution  that  the  money 
on  hand  be  made  the  nucleus  of  a  permanent  loan  fund 
for  the  benefit  of  North  Carolina  girls  seeking  higher 
education;  that  it  be  increased  annually  by  voluntary 
contributions ;  and  that  it  be  called  the  Sallie  Southall 
Cotten  Loan  Fund  in  honor  of  the  retiring  President. 

The  resolution  was  adopted  with  the  report  and  met 
an  immediate  enthusiastic  response,  which  before  the 
close  of  the  meeting  showed  a  Loan  Fund  of  more  than 
$1,000  ready  for  immediate  use.  It  was  well  known 
that  the  education  of  girls  was  the  favorite  "hobby"  of 
the  President,  who  expressed  sincere  appreciation  of  the 
honor  done  her,  and  her  faith  in  its  destiny  of  benefit 
to  North  Carolina  girls.  The  session  was  followed  by 
a  picnic  dinner  in  the  woods  of  Craven  County  where 


Eleventh  Convention  63 

ham,  fried  chicken  and  many  other  delicacies  were 
served  from  cloths  laid  on  the  ground — the  display  of 
cloth  and  Craven  County  fried  chicken  was  spread 
over  a  distance  of  a  mile.  The  women  were  served 
in  groups,  even  the  string  orchestra  heing  present  to 
gladden  the  happy  occasion  with  music.  It  was  a 
memorable  picnic  and  will  long  be  remembered  by  all 
present.  Business  could  not  be  neglected  and  the  after- 
noon session  was  called  to  order  promptly  in  the  Elks' 
Hall,  where  a  large  crowd  of  happy  enthusiastic  women 
were  ready  for  business.  Reports  were  continued.  The 
Chairman  of  Einance,  Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper,  made  an 
appeal  to  the  clubs  present  and  pledges  amounting  to 
$692.75  were  made  from  the  floor,  which  increased  the 
Endowment  to  about  $1,000. 

The  report  of  the  Library  Extension  Department  was 
read  and  supplemented  by  the  report  of  the  Federation's 
representative  on  the  Library  Commission.  A  letter 
had  been  received  from  the  President  of  the  Library 
Commission  returning  the  donation  check  from  the 
Federation  and  asking  for  a  discontinuance  of  the  co- 
operation of  the  clubs.  Knowing  the  efforts  previously 
made  by  the  clubwomen  in  promoting  the  Library  Com- 
mission, some  indignation  was  expressed  at  such  a  sum- 
mary discontinuance  of  cooperation  without  reason 
therefor.  The  indignation  soon  subsided,  the  returned 
check  was  voted  to  be  added  to  the  Loan  Fund,  and  the 
genuine  interest  in  libraries  be  continued  for  the  sake 
of  the  good  to  the  State.  The  strange  action  of  the 
Library   Commission   failed   to   evolute   into    anything 


64  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

bitter  or  disagreeable  and  was  accepted,  without  ex- 
planation as  one  of  the  vicissitudes  of  public  effort. 

The  report  on  District  Reciprocity  showed  the  ne- 
cessity for  another  revision,  which  was  duly  ordered 
made. 

The  recommendation  of  the  President  in  regard  to 
a  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  Endowment  was  acted 
upon.  The  three  members,  to  serve  for  two,  four  and 
six  years  were  elected.  They  were  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten, 
Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper,  Mrs.  Brooks  Parham,  with  the  in- 
coming President  as  ex  officio  Chairman. 

The  meeting  Thursday  evening  had  been  anticipated 
as  the  grand  finale  of  the  Convention.  Judge  "Walter 
Clark,  eminent  jurist,  and  the  staunch  friend  of  women, 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  North  Carolina, 
was  to  speak  on  "the  Legal  Status  of  Women  in  North 
Carolina."  Every  one  was  prepared  for  information 
and  entertainment.  The  stage  was  decorated  anew  and 
on  it  sat  Judge  Clark,  Mrs.  Cotten,  Miss  Royster,  Mrs. 
M.  L.  Stover  of  the  Education  Department,  Mrs.  Sol 
Weil  of  the  Legislative  Committee,  and  Miss  Hendren 
of  the  New  Bern  Woman's  Club,  who  was  to  lead  the 
proposed  discussion  after  the  address.  Griffin  Hall  was 
packed  to  its  capacity,  testifying  to  the  interest  of  all. 
The  exercises  opened  with  a  rendition  of  "The  Lost 
Chord"  by  the  Music  Department,  the  lost  chord  sup- 
posedly being  the  woman  to  whom  so  many  fields  of 
activity  were  legally  closed.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting 
the  Music  Department  rendered  the  chorus  "Angels' 
Song"  perhaps  supposed  to  represent  the  joy  of  the 
angels  when  justice  becomes  supreme. 


Eleventh  Convention  65 

First,  Mrs.  Cotten  presented  Miss  Royster,  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  Legal  Status  of  Women,  who 
took  charge  of  the  meeting.  Miss  Royster  after  a 
few  words  introduced  Mrs.  Sol  Weil  of  that  Commit- 
tee who  told  of  the  struggles  to  secure  progressive  legis- 
lation for  women. 

Miss  Royster  then  introduced  Judge  Clark  who  gave 
an  elaborate  and  illuminating  address  of  the  status 
of  women — past,  present,  and  prospective.  He  probed 
into  the  past  when  women  were  chattels  and  playthings. 
He  showed  their  development  in  mentality  and  strength 
in  the  present,  and  prophesied  citizenship  and  con- 
tinued development  in  the  future.  The  address  was 
forcible,  logical,  and  eloquent.  An  ovation  was  given 
him  by  a  rising  audience  after  which  Miss  Hendren 
led  an  investigating  discussion.  Question  after  ques- 
tion pounded  the  Judge  from  the  floor,  all  of  which  he 
answered  cheerfully  and  to  the  point.  Many  clubwomen 
made  short  talks  and  many  seeds  of  legal  truth  were 
left  to  germinate  in  the  brains  of  the  women.  The 
meeting  adjourned  to  continue  the  exchange  of  ideas 
at  the  reception  given  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
of  JSTew  Bern. 

The  final  business  session  of  the  convention  was 
called  to  order  by  the  President,  Mrs.  Cotten,  in  the 
Elks'  Temple,  promptly  at  ten  o'clock  Friday  morning. 
After  an  invocation  the  reading  of  club  reports  was 
continued.  The  Credentials  Committee,  through  its 
Chairman,  Mrs.  W.  G.  Rogers,  reported  a  voting 
strength  of  111  present.  The  Nominating  Committee 
through  Miss  Margaret  Gibson,  reported  the  following 
5 


66  Histoby  of  Women's  Clubs 

nominations :  President,  Miss  Adelaide  Fries,  of 
Winston-Salem;  Second  Yice  President,  Mrs.  N".  A. 
Sinclair,  of  Fayetteville ;  Corresponding  Secretary, 
Mrs.  E.  K.  Graham,  of  Chapel  Hill;  Treasurer,  Mrs. 
M.  L.  Stover,  of  Wilmington;  Auditor,  Mrs.  Clarence 
Johnson,  of  Raleigh;  General  Federation  State  Sec- 
retary, Mrs.  S.  L.  Dill,  Jr.,  of  New  Bern.  There  being 
no  nominations  from  the  floor,  it  was  moved  and  sec- 
onded that  the  Secretary  cast  the  ballot  for  the  nomi- 
nees presented.     The  ballot  was  so  cast. 

The  Committee  for  the  selection  of  a  motto  for  the 
Federation  through  its  Chairman,  Mrs.  Reilley,  pre- 
sented a  list  of  six  best  mottoes  submitted  by  the  clubs. 
The  one  recommended  by  the  committee  for  adoption 
was  "The  Union  of  All  for  the  Good  of  All"  which  had 
been  submitted  by  Mrs.  W.  G.  Rogers.  The  motto  was 
accepted  by  the  Federation  with  thanks. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions  reported,  and  several 
new  resolutions  from  the  floor  were  adopted,  and  all 
ordered  printed  in  the  Year  Book. 

Mrs.  M.  L.  Stover  moved  that  upon  her  retirement 
from  the  Presidency,  Mrs.  Cotten  be  made  Honorary 
President  of  the  Federation.  The  motion  was  seconded 
and  unanimously  carried  by  a  rising  vote. 

Mrs.  1ST.  A.  Sinclair  of  Fayetteville  on  behalf  of  the 
Woman's  Civic  Association  of  Fayetteville,  extended  a 
cordial  invitation  to  the  Federation  to  hold  its  next 
Convention  in  that  town.  The  invitation  was  accepted 
with  thanks. 

A  special  letter  of  thanks  was  ordered  sent  to  Judge 
Clark  for  his  response  to  the  request  of  the  Federation. 


Eleventh  Contention  67 

The  Courtesies  Committee  reported  with  expressions 
of  keen  appreciation  of  the  numerous  courtesies  ex- 
tended. The  report  was  accepted  with  a  rising  vote.  Mrs. 
Fairbrother  then  added  in  rhyme  the  universal  appre- 
ciation of  hospitality.  It  was  moved  and  carried  that 
a  rising  vote  of  thank  be  given  Mrs.  Fairbrother  for  her 
faithful  services  as  Chairman  of  Press  Committee  dur- 
ing the  Convention. 

Mrs.  Cotten  then  introduced  Miss  Fries,  the  incom- 
ing President,  and  relinquished  the  gavel  to  her.  At 
Mrs.  Cotten's  request,  Mrs.  Reilley  introduced  the  other 
newly  elected  officers,  each  of  whom  said  a  few  pleas- 
ant words,  except  Mrs.  E.  K.  Graham,  who  was  absent. 

The  work  was  over  for  the  time.  Every  day  had  been 
a  happy  day.  The  Federation  was  becoming  efficient 
and  active,  and  after  a  benediction  by  Rev.  Mr.  Merf eld 
the  Convention  adjourned  for  luncheon. 

Even  then  irrepressible  New  Bern  continued  to  add 
more  pleasures.  The  afternoon  was  given  to  a  trip  down 
the  Neuse  river  on  the  U.  S.  Revenue  Cutter,  where  the 
events  of  the  week  were  lived  over,  plans  for  future 
action  formulated,  and  woman's  faith  in  her  sister  wo- 
man strengthened  and  renewed. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

TWELFTH  CONVENTION 

Fayetteville — 1914 
Chapel  Hill  Council — 1914 

When  the  North  Carolina  Federation  was  young  its 
Year  Books  were  unassuming.  The  covers  bore  the  name 
of  the  organization  and  the  contents  were  necessarily- 
brief,  being  merely  a  list  of  the  clubs  in  membership, 
their  officers,  and  occasionally  the  motto  and  flower 
adopted  by  the  club.  They  contained  no  minutes,  no 
reports  from  Departments,  nor  from  clubs;  simply  the 
skeleton  of  the  organization.  The  small  club  dues  and 
the  cost  of  printing  easily  explain  that  brevity.  With 
the  growth  of  the  Federation  the  Year  Book  increased 
in  size  and  interest.  Minutes  of  the  Conventions,  ad- 
dresses of  the  Presidents,  reports  of  Chairmen  of  De- 
partments and  of  Standing  Committees,  and  of  clubs 
began  to  be  included,  adding  greatly  to  its  interest. 
The  white  cover  began  to  be  ornamented  with  the  Seal 
of  the  State,  which  certainly  attested  the  loyalty  of 
the  women.  When  the  Federation  became  possessed  of 
an  official  Seal  of  its  own,  the  State  Seal  was  replaced 
by  the  Federation  Seal,  the  name  of  the  organization 
and  the  Seal  being  printed  in  blue  on  the  white  cover — 
thus  getting  the  Federation  colors.  It  made  a  neat 
appearance  and  the  content  grew  in  value.  Soon  the 
Constitution  and  By-Laws,  the  minutes  of  the  meet- 
ing,  the  resolutions   passed,   reports   of  the  work,   the 

[68] 


Twelfth  Convention  69 

towns  and  cities  in  which  club  officers  lived  and  many 
other  items  were  included,  which  made  interesting 
reading  to  sympathetic  clubwomen.  Then  came  the 
blue  cover  with  the  name  and  seal  in  white.  The 
change  was  made  during  the  administration  of  Mrs. 
T.  "W.  Lingle.  The  Year  Book  has  now  become  quite  a 
large  pamphlet,  destined  to  grow  in  bulk  and  value 
as  the  minutes  increase,  more  clubs  join,  and  more  needs 
develop. 

The  Council  meeting  preceding  the  Twelfth  Conven- 
tion, was  held  in  Chapel  Hill. 

The  opening  session,  January  15,  1914,  of  the  Coun- 
cil was  held  in  a  room  in  the  Peabody  Building,  with 
nineteen  members  present,  the  largest  representation  to 
that  date.  The  luncheon  and  the  afternoon  session 
were  held  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Joseph  Hyde  Pratt.  In 
the  evening  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  Community  Club 
in  the  Peabody  Building,  open  to  the  public,  Miss 
Harriet  Berry  presiding.  Dr.  Herty  made  the  address 
of  welcome.  Mrs.  Lingle,  Mrs.  Hook,  and  Miss  Fries 
spoke. 

Next  day,  January  16,  the  morning  session  of  the 
Council  was  held  in  the  Peabody  Building;  luncheon 
and  afternoon  session  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Archibald 
Henderson.  Then  Dr.  Kemp  Battle  led  a  "personally 
conducted"  tour  through  the  University  Buildings. 

That  evening  there  was  a  lecture  on  "America  in 
1814"  by  Dr.  Hunt  of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  after 
this  a  reception  in  the  College  Library,  after  which  the 
Council   adjourned. 


70  History  of  Women's  Clubs 


In  May,  1914,  the  Twelfth  Convention  of  the  Federa- 
tion met  in  the  historic  town  of  Fayetteville,  named 
for  the  celebrated  Frenchman,  and  heir  to  the  facts  and 
traditions  of  the  exile  of  Prince  Charley,  and  the  ro- 
mantic history  of  Flora  McDonald. 

The  Council  met  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  W.  T.  Brock, 
President  of  the  hostess  club,  the  Civic  Association. 
It  was  followed  by  an  elaborate  luncheon  where  the  re- 
union of  co-workers  created  an  atmosphere  of  happi- 
ness felt  by  all  present.  The  Board  of  Directors  met 
in  the  afternoon  at  Hotel  La  Fayette  where  the  Council 
joined  them  and  the  appropriate  business  was  accom- 
plished. Such  meetings  would  often  continue  indefi- 
nately  but  for  the  faithful  clocks  which  record  the 
passing  of  time,  and  the  Board  adjourned  in  time  to 
permit  hostess  and  guest  to  become  acquainted  and 
for  both  to  don  suitable  dress  for  the  evening. 

The  evening  session  opened  promptly.  The  new 
President,  Miss  Fries,  had  a  reputation  for  promptness 
and  efficiency,  and  all  knew  she  would  sustain  it. 

An  invocation  and  the  Federation  Song  opened  the 
meeting  on  the  evening  of  May  5. 

Addresses  of  welcome  from  the  city  and  from  the 
club  were  responded  to  by  Mrs.  E.  K.  Graham  for  the 
Federation.  The  President's  address,  delivered  with 
her  characteristic  poise  and  grace  was  full  of  sane 
advice,  business  acumen,  friendly  counsel,  and  ambi- 
tion for  the  work  she  represented.  Every  woman  pres- 
ent was  proud  to  follow  so  sane  a  leader,  and  gave 
generous  applause.  Mrs.  Pennybacker,  President  of 
the  General  Federation,  who  was  to  be  the  special  guest 


Twelfth  Contention  71 

of  honor,  had  missed  a  train  connection,  in  consequence 
of  which  she  had  to  miss  the  beautiful  reception  which 
was  to  follow  the  meeting.  However,  no  time  was  lost. 
Mrs.  Reilley  entertained  the  meeting  with  a  report  of 
the  General  Federation  Council  Meeting  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  some  clubs  reported  after  which  the 
meeting  adjourned  to  attend  the  reception  given  by 
the  clubwomen  of  Fayetteville. 

The  business  sessions  were  held  in  the  spacious  audi- 
torium of  the  graded  school,  and  the  gavel  fell  promptly 
on  Wednesday  morning.  Mrs.  Pennybacker  had  ar- 
rived and  expectation  was  acute  to  see  and  hear  a 
woman  of  national  reputation  for  oratory  and  ability. 
After  the  invocation  she  was  presented  to  the  audience 
which  rose  to  receive  her.    She  spoke  briefly. 

The  Credentials  Committee  reported  129  present  en- 
titled to  vote.  Rules  and  Regulations  for  procedure 
were  adopted,  Committees  on  Resolutions,  and  on  Cour- 
tesies were  named,  and  a  Nominating  Committee 
elected  in  accordance  with  the  Constitution.  Mrs.  S.  L. 
Dill,  the  General  Federation  State  Secretary,  gave  her 
report,  and  she  was  unanimously  chosen  as  Traveling 
Manager  and  Chaperone  for  the  North  Carolina  dele- 
gation to  the  Chicago  Biennial.  The  delegates  were 
requested  to  send  in  their  names  promptly  so  she  could 
secure  choice  reservations.  Mrs.  W.  G.  Rogers  reported 
the  full  assessment  for  North  Carolina  $500  collected, 
in  recognition  of  which  the  names  of  Mrs.  Reilley,  Mrs. 
Stonewall  Jackson,  Miss  Clayton  Candler,  Miss  Fries, 
and  Mrs.  W.  G.  Rogers  had  been  placed  by  the  General 
Federation  on  the  Endowment   Roll  of  Honor.     The 


72  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Chairman  of  Membership,  Mrs.  Fairbrother,  reported 
and  introduced  twenty  new  clubs.  Adjournment  for 
lunch  followed,  and  in  front  of  the  graded  school  build- 
ing the  inevitable  picture  was  taken  of  the  whole  as- 
semblage with  the  Historic  Hat  present  but  in  a  sub- 
dued form,  more  modest  and  becoming. 

Luncheon  was  served  in  the  Domestic  Science  build- 
ing where  it  was  evident  that  "a  feast  of  reason  and 
a  flow  of  soul"  have  no  power  to  appease  the  human 
appetite. 

At  the  appointed  hour  the  afternoon  session  resumed 
business.  Many  reports  were  received  in  rapid  succes- 
sion. A  plea  by  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook  brought  pledges 
amounting  to  $384  for  the  Loan  Fund. 

Miss  Anna  Michaux  reported  on  the  Economic  Status 
of  women  teachers  in  North  Carolina.  The  report 
showed  that  while  North  Carolina  had  an  increasing 
number  of  women  wage  earners,  the  North  Carolina 
woman  herself  had  no  economic  status,  her  labor  being 
legally  the  property  of  another.  By  authentic  statis- 
tics Miss  Michaux  proved  the  insufficiency  of  the  sal- 
aries of  women  teachers  and  the  great  need  of  a  change 
on  that  line.  The  report  made  a  profound  impression. 
On  motion  by  Miss  Royster  the  committee  was  con- 
tinued another  year,  with  instructions  to  include  in 
the  investigation  the  status  of  girls  working  in  tele- 
phone exchanges  and  ten  cent  stores.  That  report  was 
made  in  1914,  since  which  time  considerable  progress 
has  been  made  in  legislation  and  public  opinion.  May 
it  not  be  possible  that  the  searching  investigation  and 
subsequent  agitation  by  the  clubwoman  on  such  an 
important    line    caused    that    progress?      There    is    no 


Twelfth  Convention  73 

doubt  that  public  opinion  and  just  legislation  will 
"follow  the  light"  of  Eight,  when  that  light  is  kept 
burning. 

The  evening  session  opened  with  a  string  quartet 
by  Red  Springs  Students,  which  was  followed  by  a 
vocal  solo  rendered  by  Miss  Severson  of  the  State 
Normal. 

Mrs.  Reilley  then  introduded  the  speaker  of  the  even- 
ing, Mrs.  Percy  Pennybacker,  who  delivered  to  an  at- 
tentive audience  an  eloquent  address  on  "The  General 
Federation  as  a  Sociological  Force." 

More  club  reports  followed  and  the  program  of  the 
evening  concluded  with  more  music  rendered  by  the 
Bed  Springs  Quartet. 

The  Fourth  business  session  was  called  to  order  by 
the  President  on  Thursday  morning,  May  7th.  After 
the  invocation  many  club  reports  were  read. 

Miss  Royster  presented  the  report  of  the  Legislative 
Committee.  Instead  of  the  paper  on  Legal  Status  of 
Women  in  North  Carolina  prepared  by  Mrs.  A.  C. 
Avery,  Jr.,  which  the  Council  had  authorized  the  Com- 
mittee to  have  printed  for  distribution,  the  Chairman 
presented  a  pamphlet  on  the  same  subject  compiled  by 
two  young  lawyers,  Messrs.  Clark  and  Broughton.  The 
report  was  accepted  and  discussed,  the  pamphlets  or 
dered  paid  for,  but  not  put  on  sale  among  the  women 
as  had  been  planned.  It  was  moved  and  carried  that 
a  letter  of  thanks  be  sent  to  those  lawyers.  A  rising 
vote  of  thanks  was  given  Mrs.  Avery  for  her  work  and 
a  rising  vote  for  Miss  Royster  for  her  efforts. 

Many  reports  followed  answering  the  question  "What 
is  the  best  thing  your  club  has  done  this  year?" 


74  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Similar  reports  filled  the  afternoon  session  and 
showed  the  clubs  striving  for  community  betterment. 
Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook  read  a  telegram  from  Elizabeth  Col- 
lege granting  a  scholarship  to  the  Federation.  The 
Corresponding  Secretary  was  instructed  to  acknowledge 
with  thanks. 

The  District  Reciprocity  Report  showed  improve- 
ment. It  was  encouraging  to  learn  that  successful 
meetings  had  been  held  in  six  of  the  eleven  Districts. 

Thursday  evening  was  Pine  Arts  Evening.  Miss 
Eries  introduced  Mrs.  Sidney  Cooper,  First  Vice  Presi- 
dent of  the  Federation,  who  presided  over  the  entire 
evening  exercises.  Mrs.  Cooper  gave  a  brief  survey 
of  the  origin  and  growth  of  Fine  Arts  Evening.  She 
then  introduced  Mrs.  J.  A.  Brown,  Chairman  of  Music, 
who  presented  Mrs.  J.  D.  Edwards,  of  "Wilmington,  the 
writer  of  the  two  best  musical  compositions.  Mrs. 
Edwards  sang  the  two  songs  and  was  presented  with 
the  Coble  gold  medal. 

Miss  Hendren,  of  the  Literature  Department,  next 
introduced  the  speaker  of  the  evening,  Mr.  Ernest  L. 
Starr,  head  of  the  English  Department  in  Salem  Col- 
lege. He  gave  a  beautiful  address  on  the  life  and 
writings  of  John  Henry  Boner,  the  Poet  of  the  Whis- 
pering Pines.  Mrs.  Cooper  expressed  thanks  for  the 
address  and  the  program  concluded  with  the  singing  of 
"Carolina  Hills,"  the  music  of  which  was  written  by 
Mrs.  A.  D.  Glascock. 

The  last  session  of  the  Convention  was  called  to 
order  by  the  President  and  business  resumed.  The 
Credentials  Chairman  made  final  report  showing  by 
roll  call  126  of  the  129  formerly  reported,  present. 


Twelfth  Convention  75 

Mrs.  Graham  for  the  Nominating  Committee  pre- 
sented the  following  report : 

First  Vice  President,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Powell,  Oxford; 
Recording  Secretary,  Mrs.  A.  C.  Avery,  Jr.,  Morgan- 
ton;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  T.  B.  Tyson,  Carthage.  JSTomi- 
nations  from  the  floor  brought  out :  First  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Miss  Gertrude  Weil,  Goldsboro;  Treasurer,  Mrs. 
D.  Y.  Cooper,  Henderson.  The  ballot  resulted  in  the 
election  of  Miss  Weil  for  First  Vice  President,  Mrs. 
A.  C.  Avery,  Jr.,  for  Recording  Secretary,  and  Mrs. 
D.  Y.  Cooper  for  Treasurer. 

The  election  of  delegates  to  the  Chicago  Biennial 
was  next  in  order.  Nominations  were  made  from  the 
floor  and  the  ballots  were  written  with  the  under- 
standing that  the  six  receiving  highest  number  of  votes 
would  be  the  delegates  and  the  next  six  highest  the  alter- 
nates. The  following  were  elected  delegates,  Mrs. 
R.  R.  Cot  ten,  Mrs.  Al  Fairbrother,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook, 
Mrs.  W.  T.  Brock,  Mrs.  T.  W.  Lingle,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Long. 
The  alternates  were  Mrs.  W.  G.  Rogers,  Mrs.  E.  E. 
Moffitt,  Mrs.  R.  F.  Beasley,  Mrs.  Sol  Weil,  Mrs.  T.  B. 
Reynolds,  Miss  Delia  Cline. 

A  rising  vote  of  thanks  was  given  Mrs.  Sallie  Cotten 
Wiggin,  daughter  of  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten,  for  a  donation 
of  $150  for  the  Loan  Fund,  made  by  an  entertainment 
given  by  Mrs.  Wiggin  for  the  benefit  of  that  fund. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Courtesies  was  pre- 
sented by  Mrs.  Sidney  Cooper  and  accepted  by  the 
Convention. 


76  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

At  the  request  of  the  President,  Miss  Fries,  the  new 
officers  were  introduced  by  Mrs.  Cotten.  Each  re- 
sponded briefly. 

Mrs.  D.  R.  Kornegay,  President  of  the  Goldsboro 
Woman's  Club,  extended  a  cordial  invitation  to  the 
Federation  to  hold  its  next  Convention  in  Groldsboro. 
This  was  accepted  with  thanks. 

The  President  announced  that  Statesville  had  asked 
to  entertain  the  next  Council  Meeting.  The  invitation 
was  accepted.  The  minutes  were  read  and  approved, 
the  doxology  was  sung  and  the  Convention  adjourned. 


CHAPTEE  XV 

THIRTEENTH  CONVENTION 

Goldsboro — 1 915 
Statesville  Council — 1915 

When  the  Goldsboro  Woman's  Club  invited  the  Fed- 
eration to  hold  another  convention  in  Goldsboro,  it 
defied  an  old  superstition,  for  that  convention  was  to 
be  the  thirteenth.  No  one  was  daunted;  the  women 
of  that  club  were  too  intelligent  to  yield  to  any  time 
worn  superstition.  The  invitation  was  accepted  in  the 
same  courageous  spirit.  Every  one  felt  sure  of  wel- 
come and  pleasure. 

The  Council  had  been  held  in  Statesville  in  January. 
Sickness  in  her  home  prevented  the  attendance  of  the 
President,  Miss  Fries.  In  her  absence  Mrs.  B.  F.  Long 
presided  at  the  meetings  and  introduced  the  speakers 
with  her  always  sweet  manner.  Many  officers  and 
chairmen  were  present,  and  many  visiting  clubwomen 
from  nearby  towns.  Greetings,  receptions,  luncheons, 
music,  and  business,  were  all  successfully  intermingled. 
Several  interesting  addresses  featured  that  meeting  and 
it  was  most  gratifying  to  see  the  number  of  men  who 
attended  each  evening  session.  They  seemed  anxious 
to  learn  more  about  clubs  and  an  opportunity  was 
given  them  to  gain  such  knowledge. 

Mrs.  Reilley  talked  about  "The  Woman  of  Today" 
and  Mrs.  Cotten  gave  many  reminiscences  of  the  early 
days  of  clubs,  and  told  how  the  "Woman  of  Yester- 
day"   had    shown    courage    and    evinced    faith    in    the 

[77] 


78  History  of  Women's  Cltjbs 

"Woman  of  Tomorrow"  by  her  loyal  club  spirit  when 
clubs  were  unpopular. 

Mrs.  T.  W.  Lingle  made  an  address  on  the  true 
meaning  of  Social  Service.  It  was  a  clarion  call  to  all 
women  for  their  duty  to  society. 

Statesville  women  had  conceived  the  happy  idea  of 
having  one  day  of  the  Council  Meeting  as  a  District 
Reciprocity  Day,  thus  bringing  a  number  of  experi- 
enced workers  in  close  personal  touch  with  their  co- 
workers in  the  Federation.  The  effort  was  a  great 
success  and  many  derived  benefit.  The  premonitory 
rumblings  of  the  World  War  began  to  be  felt,  and  a 
special  prayer  for  Peace,  and  many  talks  on  that  sub- 
ject characterized  one  session,  and  the  women  returned 
home  in  a  more  serious  frame  of  mind. 


The  Thirteenth  Convention  of  the  Federation  of 
Clubs  convened  officially  on  Tuesday  evening,  May  4, 
1915,  in  the  Wayne  County  Court  House,  the  President 
in  the  chair.  The  usual  invocation  followed  by  the 
Federation  Song  opened  the  exercises.  The  welcome 
was  generous.  Mrs.  D.  Ft.  Kornegay  spoke  for  the 
Woman's  Club;  Col.  Joseph  Robinson,  the  all-time 
friend  of  Women's  Clubs,  spoke  for  the  city.  Mrs. 
Clarence  Johnson  responded  for  the  Federation.  She 
said  "the  clubwomen  of  this  State  have  had  a  dream 
of  empire  which  should  embody  a  victory  over  igno- 
rance and  disease,"  and  prophesied  they  would  not  cease 
from  effort  until  that  dream  becomes  reality. 


Thirteenth  Convention  79 

Greetings  from  South  Carolina  were  brought  by 
Mrs.  W.  T.  Allen.  Miss  Emily  McVea  spoke  for  Ohio. 
Reared  in  North  Carolina,  once  Lady  Principal  of  St. 
Mary's  School,  she  had  become  Dean  of  Women  at  Cin- 
cinnati University,  and  knew  club  life  in  Ohio. 

Miss  Mary  O.  Graham  brought  greetings  from  the 
Teachers'  Assembly,  and  Miss  Lida  Rodman  from  the 
D.  A.  R.  From  so  many  sources  the  clubwomen  caught 
an  inspiring  vision  of  what  other  clubwomen  were 
doing. 

The  President's  address  followed,  full  of  wisdom  and 
enthusiasm.  Then  Mrs.  Horace  Dowell  gave  a  vocal 
solo.  Echoes  from  the  Chicago  Biennial  Convention 
were  given  by  Mesdames  Reilley,  Dill,  Hook,  Tingle, 
Long  and  Gotten,  each  trying  to  answer  the  question, 
"What  have  you  brought  your  State  from  the 
Biennial  ?" 

The  meeting  adjourned  to  attend  a  reception  by 
the  Algonquin  Club,  at  its  club  house,  followed  by  a 
real  dance  in  the  ball  room,  where  all  felt  happy  and 
at  home. 

The  morning  session  was  held  in  the  Court  House, 
Miss  Fries  presiding.  In  all  conventions  there  is  nec- 
essarily much  repetition  of  procedure  which  is  needed 
to  secure  order  and  accuracy,  but  not  interesting  to 
those  outside  the  Federation.  That  morning  in  Golds- 
boro  all  necessary  routine  was  followed.  The  Creden- 
tials Committee  was  at  work  in  another  room.  The 
Rules  and  Regulations  Committee  reported,  which 
brought  on  a  discussion  about  an  old  time  aggressor, 
viz. :  the  Federation  Hat.  At  Henderson  it  had  been 
ruled   out   of  the  meetings   as   a   non-member,  but  by 


80  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

degrees  it  had  insinuated  itself  again  into  obnoxious 
publicity.  It  was  proof  of  the  way  clubwomen  per- 
sisted in  the  battle  against  all  public  evils,  when  they 
voted  again  to  abolish  the  hat  from  the  Convention 
and  an  intermission  was  allowed  for  the  retirement  of 
the  Federation  Hat  into  (at  least)  a  temporary 
obscurity. 

Many  reports  followed.  Mrs.  A.  C.  Avery  reported 
that  21  new  clubs  had  been  admitted  to  membership 
while  two  had  withdrawn,  thus  making  an  increase 
of  clubs  from  100  to  121,  with  a  total  membership  of 
4,000  women.  Applause  greeted  the  announcement.  It 
meant  continued  growth.  Mrs.  H.  A.  White,  ever  alert, 
delivered  early  an  invitation  for  the  Federation  to  hold 
its  next  Convention  in  High  Point,  in  which  invitation 
all  High  Point  organizations  united.  Mrs.  Gordon 
Finger  then  presented  an  ivitation  to  come  to  Charlotte, 
but  the  vote  went  in  favor  of  High  Point  and  Char- 
lotte had  to  defer  its  anticipated  pleasure. 

The  business  sessions  that  morning  and  all  through 
the  Convention  were  full  of  discussions  and  witty 
repartee.  The  Federation  had  grown  so  large  that  the 
time  allotted  for  reports  from  Chairmen  and  clubs  was 
totally  inadequate.  Something  had  to  be  devised  to 
meet  the  emergency.  At  Goldsboro  an  experiment  was 
tried.  Groups  of  Departments  held  conferences  each 
afternoon,  which  while  not  perfect,  suggested  improve- 
ments and  furnished  ideas  to  be  worked  out  during 
another  year. 

A  discussion  on  the  floor  of  the  Convention  as  to 
which  was  more  stimulating  and  instructive,  the  con- 
ferences or  the  business  sessions,  brought  out  a  verdict 


Thikteenth  Convention  81 

in  favor  of  the  regular  business  sessions.  It  was  a 
democratic  verdict.  In  the  business  sessions  every  one 
was  "in  it"  while  all  could  not  attend  all  the  confer- 
ences. Every  delegate  wanted  to  hear  every  discussion. 
How  could  it  be  accomplished?  The  incoming  Council 
was  asked  to  solve  the  problem  and  suggest  some  plan 
by  which  one  person  could  be  in  several  places  at  the 
same  time.  It  was  an  Herculean  task  to  place  on  the 
new  council  but  the  plan  for  conferences  was  not  aban- 
doned, and  bore  good  fruit  later. 

Another  perplexing  problem  was  the  report  of  the 
individual  club  within  the  limit  of  time.  The  clubs 
had  increased  and  naturally  each  club  president  de- 
sired to  give  her  report  because  her  club  had  done 
such  fine  things.  All  the  work  done  by  a  club  in  a 
whole  year  could  not  be  told  in  two  or  three  minutes. 
Yet  the  days  could  not  be  made  longer  to  give  more 
time.  What  could  be  done  to  solve  the  problem?  The 
individual  club  president  with  her  report  not  read  was 
having  a  most  uninteresting  time,  though  the  whole 
Convention  was  on  her  side.  The  discussion  grew 
lively  and  serious  but  no  one  could  lengthen  the  hours 
of  the  day.  The  final  vote  turned  the  problem  over 
to  the  Council  for  solution,  the  club  report  being  almost 
unanimously  sustained. 

The  Sallie  Southall  Cotten  Loan  Fund  was  reported 
as  amounting  to  $2,000.  Pledges  for  $300  more  were 
received.  Mrs.  Cotten  presented  a  beautiful  crocheted 
bed  spread,  made  by  Mrs.  John  Hassell  of  Greenville, 
and  donated  to  the  Federation  to  be  sold  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Loan  Fund.  Mrs.  Cotten  also  presented  a  rug, 
6 


82  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

woven  by  herself,  to  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  Loan 
Fund.  It  was  moved  and  carried  that  the  Federation 
buy  that  rug  and  present  it  to  Miss  Fries,  the  retiring 
President,  which  was  done.  Miss  Fries  gracefully  ac- 
cepted the  attractive  souvenir. 

Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper  had  resigned  as  Treasurer  but  the 
Endowment  was  growing  and  the  new  Treasurer  would 
continue  the  work. 

The  afternoon  was  given  over  to  Conferences.  The 
Departments  of  Civics,  Conservation  and  Social  Service 
met  in  the  Court  House,  while  Literature  and  Library 
Extension  met  in  the  Club  Rooms.  Then  followed  a 
drive  and  a  Garden  Party. 

The  evening  session  was  addressed  by  Mr.  R.  B. 
Watrous  of  the  American  Civic  Association  and  by  Mr. 
Clarence  Poe  on  "Meeting  State  Needs."  The  ad- 
dresses were  interspersed  with  delightful  music. 

Mrs.,  J.  A.  Brown,  Chairman  of  Music,  announced 
Mrs.  M.  G.  Dalrymple  of  Carthage  as  winner  of  both 
first  and  second  prizes  in  the  music  contest,  for  her  two 
compositions,  "Cradle  Song"  and  "Still,  Still  With 
Thee." 

Miss  Amy  Joseph  of  Goldsboro  was  the  winner  of  the 
prize  in  Research  work  for  her  paper  on  "Eleemos- 
ynary Institutions  of  North  Carolina." 

Mrs.  Schlicter  of  Charlotte  won  the  Short  Story 
prize  for  her  story,  "Uncle  Abe's  Funeral." 

In  poetry  the  winners  were  Mrs.  Charles  Ives  of 
New  Bern,  for  "Research,"  and  Mrs.  Zoe  Kincaid 
Brockman  of  Gastonia,  second  prize  for  her  poem  "A 
Singing  Lad." 


Thirteenth  Convention  83 

Thursday  morning,  May  6,  found  much,  business  yet 
to  be  transacted.  Amendments  to  the  By-Laws  were 
adopted.  The  Chairman  of  Resolutions  reported. 
Among  the  resolutions  adopted  was  one  highly  en- 
dorsing the  movement  to  establish  a  State  School  or 
Home  for  erring  girls.  From  the  beginning  of  the 
Federation  the  subject  of  such  a  home  had  been  dis- 
cussed in  almost  every  convention  but  no  results 
reached.  It  began  to  assume  an  appearance  of  possi- 
bility and  the  women  rejoiced  to  again  endorse  the 
movement. 

Again  the  afternoon  was  devoted  to  Conferences. 

The  feature  of  the  evening  session  was  a  delightful 
Lecture-Song  Recital,  "Music  in  America"  given  by 
Mrs.  Wade  Brown,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Wade  Brown. 
It  gave  a  fine  idea  of  the  evolution  of  American  Music, 
and  was  much  enjoyed. 

The  meeting  adjourned  at  nine  o'clock  to  attend  the 
event  par  excellence  of  the  Convention.  Every  one 
was  in  a  state  of  exhilaration.  Goldsboro  Club  was  to 
give  another  banquet,  and  Goldsboro  never  did  half 
do  anything.  The  banquet  was  given  in  the  Grant 
Building,  broadly  conceived  and  brilliantly  executed. 
It  was  much  grander  than  the  famous  banquet  of  1905, 
but  not  more  unique,  nor  more  enjoyed.  The  num- 
ber of  guests  to  enjoy  it,  however,  was  much  larger. 
All  attempts  at  description  fail  to  do  it  justice.  Seats 
had  been  arranged  for  three  hundred  guests  and  a  cele- 
brated caterer  engaged  to  serve  the  feast,  to  enjoy  it 
being  the  only  duty. 


84  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

In  preparing  the  program  there  had  been  an  attempt 
to  reproduce  the  same  1905  toasts,  so  far  as  progress 
permitted,  as  an  auld  lang  syne  souvenir. 

The  toast  mistress,  Miss  Sallie  Kirby,  genial  and 
inimitable,  sat  facing  the  guests  and  on  each  side  of  her 
sat  those  who  had  been  chosen  to  speak,  as  follows : 

Our  Guests — Miss  Susie  Fulgum,  Goldsboro 
Our  Federation — Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten,  Honorary  President 
Women  in  the  Home — Mrs.  M.  L.  Stover,  Wilmington 
Women  in  Professions — Dr.  Delia  Dixon-Carroll,  Raleigh 
Women    in    Government — Mrs.    Al    Fairbrother,    Greens- 
boro 
The  Men— Mrs.  E.  K.  Graham,  Chapel  Hill 

The  responses  were  appropriate  and  interspersed 
with  wit  and  wisdom.  The  plural  nature  of  the  closing 
toast,  progressed  from  the  former  one — Man — was  a 
temptation  not  to  be  resisted,  and  after  a  clever  re- 
sponse Mrs.  Graham  with  a  twinkle  and  a  smile  closed 
with  the  toast  "The  Men — God  bless  'em." 

The  guests  of  honor,  Mrs.  Allen  of  South  Carolina, 
Miss  McVea,  and  Miss  Mary  Graham  all  made  inter- 
esting talks. 

Mrs.  Reilley  responded  with  a  clever  poem  about  the 
"Eyes."  Colonel  Joe  Robinson,  now  a  real  member  of 
the  Woman's  Club,  was  the  only  man  present  visibly 
but  the  eyes  of  three  hundred  women  detected  a  group 
of  men  peeping  at  the  door,  and  the  chorus  which  had 
enlivened  the  evening,  began  the  refrain,  "Here's  to 
the  men,"  caused  them  to  disappear  before  they  could 
be  captured. 


Thirteenth  Convention  85 

It  was  a  delightful  evening.  Miss  Fries  expressed 
the  appreciation  of  the  Federation  for  the  honor  and 
pleasure  given,  and  hoped  all  present  might  meet  in 
Goldsboro  again  and  be  happy  together. 

In  spite  of  the  late  hour  at  which  the  banquet  ad- 
journed, Miss  Fries,  the  President,  called  the  meeting 
to  order  on  Friday  morning  at  the  regular  hour.  The 
invocation,  roll  call,  and  minutes  being  concluded,  the 
Credentials  Committee  reported  122  voters  present. 
The  Nominating  Committee  then  reported.  The  Chair- 
man, Miss  Kirby,  requested  Miss  Royster  of  the  com- 
mittee, to  announce  the  first  name.  It  was  that  of  Miss 
Gertrude  Weil  of  Goldsboro  for  President.  A  spon- 
taneous ovation  was  given  the  announcement,  and  sev- 
eral minutes  elapsed  before  Miss  Weil  could  be  heard, 
declining  the  honor  offered.  She  had  served  the  Fede- 
ration ever  since  its  organization  in  so  many  capacities 
and  always  with  such  ability  that  the  Convention  re- 
fused to  consider  her  declination.  She  was  firm,  and 
nominations  from  the  floor  were  called  for.  Mrs. 
Palmer  Jerman  and  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook  were  nominated 
but  both  declined  to  serve.  Then  Mrs.  T.  W.  Lingle, 
of  Davidson,  was  nominated  and  after  some  hesitation, 
she  bravely  accepted  the  responsibility  amid  much  ap- 
plause and  an  unanimous  vote.  The  other  names  pre- 
sented by  the  Nominating  Committee  and  unanimously 
elected  were :  Second  Vice  President,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook ; 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Stover;  Treas- 
urer, Mrs.  T.  B.  Tyson;  Auditor,  Mrs.  Max  Gardner; 
General  Federation  State  Secretary,  Mrs.  E.  K.  Graham. 
Miss  Weil,  First  Vice  President,  and  Mrs.  A.  C.  Avery, 


86  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Jr.,  Recording  Secretary,  were  continued  in  office,  their 
terms  not  having  expired.  Miss  Fries  was  elected  to 
the  Board  of  Trustees. 

The  new  officers  were  presented,  the  gavel  was  given 
to  Mrs.  Lingle,  the  minutes  were  approved,  after  which 
the  doxology  was  sung,  and  a  benediction  pronounced 
followed  by  adjournment. 

At  one  o'clock  luncheon  was  served  by  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  after  which  the  Board  of  Directors  met 
in  the  Court  House  which  closed  an  interesting  and  de- 
lightful convention. 

Goldsboro  could  sleep  in  peace !  The  hearts  of  the 
clubwomen  were  hers ! 


CHAPTEK  XVI 

FOURTEENTH   CONVENTION 

High  Point— 1916 
Shelby  Council — 1916 

A  largely  attended  meeting  of  the  North  Carolina 
Conference  for  Social  Service  was  held  in  Charlotte 
in  January,  1916,  at  which  the  social  service  needs 
of  the  State  were  discussed.  Many  cluhwomen  at- 
tended, several  of  whom  were  on  the  program,  among 
them  the  new  President  of  the  Federation,  Mrs.  Lingle, 
well  known  for  her  great  interest  in  social  service  work. 
From  Charlotte  the  clubwomen  wended  their  way  to 
Shelby  to  attend  the  Council  Meeting  which  was  to 
convene  there  on  January  26,  preliminary  to  the 
Convention  to  be  held  in  High  Point,  in  May. 

It  was  a  busy  meeting.  It  had  devolved  on  the 
Council  to  solve  two  problems  for  the  Federation. 
Suffice  it  to  say  those  problems  were  solved. 

The  Council  Meetings  inevitably  had  assumed  the 
aspect  of  miniature  Federation  Conventions,  and 
elicited  many  social  functions  which  made  mentality 
more  alert  for  the  discussion  of  important  business. 
The  rhythm  of  life  is  work  and  play,  ebb  and  flood, 
pleasure  and  business,  and  all  that  keeps  up  rhythm 
should  be  encouraged. 

The  dinner  to  the  Executive  Board  was  given  at 
the  home  of  Mrs.  Max  Gardner,  Auditor  of  the  Fed- 
eration.    In  the  evening  a  reception  was  enjoyed  at 


88  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

the  residence  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Roberts,  courtesy  of  Twen- 
tieth Century  Club.  Thursday  morning  the  business 
sessions  began,  at  the  Masonic  hall,  Mrs.  Lingle  in 
the  chair.  The  meeting  was  strictly  executive  and 
followed  by  luncheon  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  S.  S. 
Royster — courtesy  of  the  Civic  League. 

The  afternoon  was  an  open  session.  Addresses  of 
welcome  by  Shelby  Civic  League,  were  delivered  by 
Mrs.  Clyde  Hoey,  and  from  the  Twentieth  Century 
Club  by  Mrs.  W.  J.  Roberts.  The  response  by  Mrs. 
C.  C.  Hook,  was  followed  by  informal  talks  on  perti- 
nent subjects. 

Thursday  evening  found  a  large  crowd  gathered 
in  the  Cleveland  County  Court  House,  all  anxious  to 
hear  something  about  the  Federation,  Mrs.  T.  W. 
Lingle,  President,  in  the  chair.  Brief  addresses  were 
given  as  follows: 

The    Woman's    Club    and    Community    Upbuilding— Mrs. 

E.  K.  Graham 
Shakespeare   Celebrations — Mrs.    Lindsay   Patterson 
Art  and  Its  Relation  to  Life — Mrs.   Jacques   Busbee 
The  Influence  of  Music  on  the  Community — Mrs.    J.  D. 

Edwards 
The  Literary  Club — Miss  Bettie  Windley 

Delightful  music  was  rendered  by  local  talent  be- 
tween the  addresses. 

The  business  session  Friday  morning  was  followed 
by  a  luncheon  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  R.  L.  Ryburn, 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  IT.  D.  C.  of  Shelby. 

Friday  evening  was  another  open  session,  supposed 
to  illustrate  the  Federation  at  work — Miss  Gertrude 
Weil,  First  Vice  President,  in  the  chair. 


EoUKTEENTH  CONVENTION  89 

Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley  told  about  the  Biennial  soon 
to  be  held  in  New  York  City..  Miss  Daisy  Waitt  dis- 
cussed "The  Club  Woman  in  the  Making."  Mrs.  A.  H. 
Powell  discussed  Library  Extension.  Mrs.  Gordon 
Einger  spoke  on  Eorestry  and  Nature  Study.  Mrs. 
E.  F.  Reid  told  of  the  growth  of  the  club  movement  in 
North  Carolina. 

In  response  to  an  insistent  request  from  the  audi- 
ence, Mrs.  R.  R.  Gotten,  who  had  not  expected  to 
speak,  made  an  impromptu  talk  on  the  identity  of 
the  "Old  Woman  and  the  New."  Herself  a  grand- 
mother of  the  Past,  and  a  veteran  clubwoman  of  the 
present,  she  was  well  equipped  to  discuss  the  subject 
from  all  its  sides. 

The  Shelby  Council  Meeting  passed  into  history  as 
a  brilliant  success  enjoyed  by  all  who  were  there. 
The  first  editorial  in  the  Cleveland  Star  was  written 
on  our  arrival  and  was  just  in  the  manner  of  a  welcome, 
polite,  chivalrous,  and  hospitable,  but  another,  printed 
after  all  had  gone  away,  showed  the  effect  of  the  meet- 
ing, the  personnel  of  the  women,  and  the  good  that  was 
done.    It  was  as  follows : 

The  favor  of  many  men  has  been  won  to  the  Women's 
Clubs  by  reason  of  the  brilliant  gathering  of  women  here 
last  week.  They  have  learned  that  the  Federation  does 
not  recognize  clubs  that  are  purely  social  in  their  nature, 
but  takes  in  the  clubs  only  that  stand  for  social  better- 
ment. This  covers  a  wide  range  of  work  and  the  ladies 
in  the  clubs  are  doing  inestimable  good  for  the  land. 

Thanks,  Mr.  Editor ! 


90  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  Fourteenth  Convention  of  the  North  Carolina 
Federation  met  in  High  Point,  May  2,  1916.  Delegates 
were  everywhere,  laughing,  talking,  listening,  and  all 
anticipating  both  pleasure  and  benefit.  The  Boy  Scouts 
were  voluntary  baggage  masters  and  elicited  the  most 
cordial  appreciation.  Everywhere  could  be  heard  the 
exclamation,  "Look  at  my  Boy  Scout,  isn't  he  splen- 
did?" The  gallant  Scouts  laden  with  bags  and  suit- 
cases deserved  the  universal  commendation. 

The  Executive  Meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of 
Mrs.  J.  Elwood  Cox,  followed  by  a  luncheon  at  the 
home  of  Mrs.  J.  J.  Farriss,  President  of  the  High  Point 
Woman's  Club. 

In  the  afternoon  there  was  a  Conference  of  Club 
Presidents  with  the  State  President,  and  one  of  De- 
partment Chairmen  with  their  committees.  The  Board 
of  Directors  and  the  Trustees  also  held  their  customary 
meetings. 

Promptly  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  Mrs.  Lingle, 
the  President,  brought  the  gavel  down  in  the  High 
School  Auditorium,  and  declared  the  Fourteenth  Con- 
vention in  session. 

An  invocation  and  the  singing  of  "America"  fol- 
lowed. Addresses  of  Welcome  by  Mrs.  Farriss  from 
the  Woman's  Club,  and  from  the  city  by  the  Superin- 
tendent of  City  Schools,  Mr.  Thornwell  Haynes,  who 
made  a  very  impressive  application  of  the  Hindoo 
word  "JSTo-ma-sta,"  which  means  "I  salute  the  divine 
in  you."  In  all  his  tributes  to  womanhood  he  applied 
the  "I  salute  the  divine  in  you."  It  was  a  sermon  in 
itself  and  every  woman  felt  a  greater  desire  to  culti- 


Fourteenth  Convention  91 

vate  the  "divine"  within  herself.  Mrs.  Max  Gardner 
responded  for  the  Federation. 

The  President,  Mrs.  Lingle,  then  gave  an  address 
and  emphasized  her  wish  that  the  Convention  should 
be  a  meeting  devoted  to  community  upbuilding.  She 
was  followed  by  Rev.  Charles  E.  Raynal  in  an  address 
on  "Community  Upbuilding."  Himself  a  community 
builder  he  knew  whereof  he  spoke,  and  his  words  fell 
on  willing  ears.  The  meeting  then  adjourned  for  the 
delegates  to  attend  a  reception  given  by  the  Elks  in 
the  Elks'  Home. 

On  "Wednesday  morning  at  9 :30,  the  Credentials 
Committee  was  "up  and  doing,  with  a  heart  for  any 
fate,"  and  at  ten  o'clock  Mrs.  Lingle  declared  the  Con- 
vention in  session.  After  the  invocation,  Mrs.,  Lingle 
presented  Mrs.  Percy  Pennybacker,  President  of  the 
General  Federation,  who  was  again  the  guest  of  the 
Federation.  She  expressed  her  pleasure  in  being  again 
at  a  North  Carolina  Convention. 

The  Committee  on  Rules  and  Regulations  read  the 
rules  which  had  been  successfully  used  at  the  pre- 
ceding Convention  and  advised  their  adoption. 

The  Hat  again  protruded  itself  into  notice,  a  few 
dissenting  voices  protested  against  its  banishment,  but 
they  soon  pleasantly  acquiesced  to  the  rule  of  the  ma- 
jority, and  the  Hat  again  retired  into  exile. 

Committees  on  Resolutions  and  Courtesies  were  ap- 
pointed and  a  Nominating  Committee  voted  for.  So 
many  names  were  on  the  ballots  that  tellers  were  ap- 
pointed to  count  the  vote  and  report  the  highest  vote 
for  the  five  women  necessary  for  the  Committee. 


92  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

During  the  absence  of  the  tellers  many  reports  were 
heard,  among  them  the  report  of  the  Council  Meet- 
ing. The  election  of  delegates  to  the  New  York  Bien- 
nial had  been  held  at  the  Shelby  Council,  on  the  author- 
ity vested  in  it  by  a  vote  at  the  Goldsboro  Conven- 
tion. The  result  was  announced  as  follows,  for  Dele- 
gates, Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten,  Dr.  Delia  Dixon-Carroll, 
Mrs.  B.  F.  Long,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Reid,  Mrs.  Clyde  Hoey, 
Mrs.  Joseph  Brown,  Mrs.  Henry  A.  White;  for  Alter- 
nates, Mrs.  A.,  H.  Powell,  Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson,  Miss 
Bettie  Windley,  Miss  Sallie  Kirby,  Mrs.  Palmer  Jer- 
man,  Mrs.  W.  B.  Waddill.  The  Council  advised  the 
continuation  of  the  Department  Conferences,  believ- 
ing they  would  adjust  themselves  in  time,  also  that 
the  Districts  had  been  again  realigned  and  that  Mrs. 
W.  B.  Waddill  of  Henderson  had  been  appointed 
Chairman  of  Reciprocity  and  was  bringing  order  and 
enthusiasm  in  the  districts.  Of  the  thirteen  districts, 
ten  had  held  meetings  and  the  Chairman  felt  much 
encouraged. 

Mrs.  E.  F.  Reid  reported  27  new  clubs  and  a  ma- 
jority of  them  present..  The  new  clubs  then  reported 
and  Mrs.  Pennybacker  congratulated  them.  She  noted 
the  absence  of  any  mention  of  club  flower,  or  club 
color,  by  any  new  club.  She  was  sure  their  reports 
on  health,  literary  work,  social  service,  and  civic 
cleanliness  would  produce  more  happiness  than  club 
flowers  and  club  colors — once   so  prominent  in  clubs. 

The  Credentials  Committee  reported  a  voting 
strength  of  162  legal  voters  registered. 


Fourteenth  Convention         93 

The  resignation  of  Mrs.  E.  K.  Graham  as  General 
Federation  State  Secretary  was  read  and  accepted  with 
regret.  The  Recording  Secretary  stated  that  the 
offices  to  be  filled  were  First  Vice  President,  Rceording 
Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  General  Federation  State 
Secretary.  The  tellers  then  reported,  as  the  result  of 
the  ballot,  a  Nominating  Committee  composed  of  the 
following:  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten,  Miss  Adelaide  Fries, 
Mrs.  J.  J.  Farriss,  Mrs.  J.  R.  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  J.  H. 
Pratt. 

A  call  was  made  for  a  report  from  the  Committee 
on  Legislation,  which  brought  out  the  fact  the  mar- 
riage and  removal  from  North  Carolina  of  the  Chair- 
man, Miss  Royster,  had  left  a  vacancy  which  no  one 
had  been  willing  to  accept,  so  that  there  was  no  report. 
Mrs.  Lingle  was  not  discouraged  but  felt  sure  the 
right  woman  to  fill  the  vacancy  could  and  would  be 
found.  An  intermission  of  five  minutes  was  followed 
by  a  spirited  address  by  Mrs.  "Wmfred  Sackville  Stoner 
on  Natural  Education.     Adjournment  followed. 

An  appetizing  luncheon  was  served  in  the  basement 
of  the  church  by  the  TJ.  D.  C.  of  High  Point.  Con- 
federate flags  as  decorations  brightened  the  occasion 
and  the  souvenir  Confederate  flags  which  decorated  the 
clubwomen  as  they  filed  out  of  the  dining  hall,  might 
have  been  mistaken  for  a  parade  of  the  Daughters  of 
the  Confederacy. 

The  afternoon  was  devoted  to  Conferences  of  De- 
partments. 

The  evening  session  was  marked  by  an  address  on 
"Public    Health    and    the    Clubwoman's    Opportunity" 


94  Histoby  of  Women's  Clubs 

by  Miss  Florence  Hanswold,  of  Versailles,  Kentucky. 
She  was  introduced  by  Mrs..  Mark  Quinerly,  Chairman 
of  Health. 

The  last  speaker  of  the  evening  was  Prof.  Maurice 
Felton  of  Davidson  College,  who  was  introduced  by 
Miss  Fries.  He  gave  an  illustrated  lecture  on  "Shake- 
speare's Environment." 

Thursday  morning  the  Convention  was  again  called 
to  order  at  the  Wesley  Memorial  Church,  Mrs.  Lingle 
in  the  chair. 

The  Chairman  of  Credentials  reported  more  regis- 
trations which  raised  the  number  of  legal  voters  present 
to  178  instead  of  162  as  previously  reported. 

It  had  been  customary  to  read  all  the  Resolutions 
together  on  the  last  day,  and  have  them  discussed  and 
adopted,  but  by  special  permission  because  it  was 
an  emergency,  a  resolution  was  brought  to  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Convention  and  prompt  action  requested. 
It  had  been  learned  that  an  efficient  woman  was  to 
be  deprived  of  her  position  as  Supervisor  of  Public 
Institutions,  for  no  reason  except  to  create  a  vacancy 
which  a  man  had  been  selected  to  fill.  It  was  time 
for  the  Federation  to  test  its  influence.  The  resolu- 
tion was  read  by  Mrs.  A.  H.  Powell,  Chairman,  and 
read  as  follows : 

Be  it  resolved,  That  the  North  Carolina  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs  ask  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  who 
holds  the  power  of  appointment  and  discharge  of  a  Super- 
visor of  Public  Institutions,  to  continue  a  woman  in  that 
office,  for  which  the  Federation  believes  women  eminently 
fitted. 


Fourteenth  Convention  95 

The  resolution  was  promptly  adopted,  a  com- 
mittee of  three  appointed  to  wait  upon  the  Governor, 
and  a  copy  of  the  resolution  sent  to  him  at  once. 
It  is  pleasant  to  record  that  the  resolution,  carrying 
with  it  the  endorsement  of  the  Federation  was  followed 
up  by  the  committee  of  three,  who  saw  the  Governor 
in  person,  fulfilled  its  mission  and  the  woman  incumbent 
was  retained  in  office  for  the  time  of  her  appointment. 
At  the  expiration  of  her  time  however,  she  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a  man.  A  stand  for  justice  had  been  made 
and  the  action  of  the  Federation  justified. 

An  hour  of  the  morning  session  was  given  to  a  dis- 
cussion on  Rural  Club  organization,  led  by  Mrs.  Jane 
McKimmon,  State  Agent  for  Demonstration  "Work,  who 
has  done  so  much  for  the  rural  women  of  the  State. 
It  was  her  favorite  topic — rural  clubs  and  rural  women, 
and  she  enjoyed  discussing  it.  Mrs.  Jones  of  Salem- 
burg,  added  a  few  remarks  and  Mrs.  Pennybacker 
gave  some  interesting  personal  experiences  in  rural 
meetings. 

The  afternoon  was  again  devoted  to  Conferences. 
At  five  o'clock  Dean  Shirley  of  Salem  College  gave 
an  organ  recital  to  a  large  audience,  at  the  Wesley 
Memorial  Church. 

The  special  feature  of  the  evening  session  was  the 
address  of  Mrs.  Pennybacker.  A  woman  of  brains 
and  a  born  orator,  she  held  her  audience  with  intense 
interest.  She  had  a  real  message  for  North  Carolina 
women  and  urged  three  things,  viz. :  efficiency,  co- 
operation, and  loyalty,  as  the  basis  of  all  work.  She 
desired    to   see   inscribed    on   every    woman's    memory 


96  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

the  three  words,  investigate,  concentrate,  eliminate. 
Investigate  to  find  the  truth,  concentrate  to  realize 
the  truth,  and  eliminate  by  taking  out  the  false  and 
unworthy. 

A  special  feature  of  the  High  Point  Convention 
was  a  pageant  given  by  the  1600  children  of  the  public 
schools.  It  was  gotten  up  by  the  teachers  of  the 
various  grades  under  the  approval  and  supervision  of 
the  Superintendent  of  Schools.  It  represented  many 
phases  of  American  history.  Nothing  makes  a  boy 
so  happy  as  to  play  Indian,  and  as  the  Indians  are 
a  real  part  of  American  history,  it  was  proper  that 
the  pageant  should  be  led  by  a  group  of  Indians  in 
perfect  attire  and  proud  of  their  prominence. 

Then  came  Columbus  and  the  discovery  of  America, 
the  Puritans  next  in  their  peculiar  dress,  followed  by 
the  Quakers  with  long  coats  and  round  hats  (which 
have  never  experienced  any  exile).  Then  came  the 
United  States  Army  and  Navy,  the  Red  Cross  in  white 
uniforms  and  many  of  the  activities  of  the  clubs  were 
shown,  such  as  Clean-up-week  by  a  group  dressed  in 
blue  and  white  (Federation  colors)  armed  with  brooms, 
and  bearing  banners  bearing  such  legends  as  "Clean 
up"  and  "Cleanliness  is  next  to  godliness,"  etc.  Many 
of  the  states  were  represented  beginning  with  North 
Carolina  bearing  long  leaf  pines  and  banners  with 
the  date  "May  20."  Slavery  was  also  shown,  and 
the  gold  rush  to  California  in  "49."  But  the  cutest 
and  cleverest  of  all  the  mile-long  parade  was  the  bevy 
of  little  "tots"  who  represented  the  North    Carolina 


Fourteenth  Convention  97 

Federation  supposedly  the  last  and  best  item  of  his- 
torical interest.  They  were  dressed  in  white  and  wav- 
ing sprigs  of  pine,  Federation  emblems,  and  carried 
blue  banners  with  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Clubs 
on  them  in  white.  They  were  greeted  with  enthusias- 
tic applause.  It  was  a  splendid  pageant  and  a  credit 
to  the  schools  of  High  Point  and  to  its  teachers. 

At  the  invitation  of  Mr..  Fred  Tate  the  clubwomen 
visited  the  High  Point  Silk  Mill.  All  the  processes 
of  manufacture  were  explained  and  each  delegate  given 
a  souvenir  of  white  raw  silk  from  China,  tied  with 
blue  and  white  baby  ribbon.  They  had  been  instructed 
and  entertained. 

In  the  evening  a  reception  was  given  by  the  Woman's 
Club  of  High  Point  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  Elwood  Cox. 

Friday  morning  found  much  unfinished  business  but 
Mrs.  Lingle  attacked  it  with  a  brave  heart.  The 
meeting  opened  with  the  Federation  Song,  after  which 
a  prayer  was  offered.  Some  one  must  have  thought 
the  rendition  of  the  Federation  Song  needed  praying 
for,  or  more  attention  given  it,  for  it  was  moved,  im- 
mediately after  the  prayer,  that  the  Chairman  of  Music 
send  a  request  to  the  President  of  each  club,  asking 
its  members  to  learn  the  song  so  all  could  sing  it 
together  at  Conventions.  Discussion  followed  and  dis- 
closed the  fact  that  the  plate  used  in  printing  the  song 
had  been  lost.  The  Chairman  of  Music  was  authorized 
to  have  a  new  plate  made  and  copies  printed  for  sale 
to  the  clubs. 


98  Histoby  of  Women's  Clubs 

Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook  presented  the  Loan  Fund  and 
received  many  pledges  for  it.  She  reported  33  loans 
made  and  $800  on  hand  to  help  others.  The  clubwomen 
were  so  gratified  to  hear  of  its  usefulness  that  many 
of  the  clubs  increased  their  pledges. 

Reports  were  finished  and  then  the  Nominating 
Committee  presented  the  following  nominations :  First 
Vice  President,  Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson,  Raleigh;  Re- 
cording Secretary,  Miss  Clara  Cox,  High  Point ;  Treas- 
urer, Mrs.  T.  B.  Tyson,  Carthage;  General  Federation 
State  Secretary,  Miss  Gertrude  Weil. 

Mrs.  Tyson  positively  declined  the  honor,  and  after 
nominations  from  the  floor,  Miss  Fries  of  Winston- 
Salem  was  elected,  along  with  the  other  nominations. 

Mrs.  Norman  Wills  extended  to  the  Convention  on 
behalf  of  the  federated  clubwomen  of  Greensboro,  an 
invitation  to  attend,  a  luncheon  to  be  served  in  the 
basement  immediately  after  adjournment.. 

The  Resolutions  were  read  and  adopted.  The  Cour- 
tesies Committee  reported,  the  new  officers  were  called 
to  the  platform  and  presented,  after  which  Mrs.  Lingle 
declared  the  Convention  adjourned. 

In  the  basement  the  Convention  became  the  guests 
of  the  Greensboro  Clubs.  It  was  an  hour  full  of 
pleasure.  Nothing  had  been  forgotten,  from  flowers 
for  the  Honorary  President  to  the  varied,  and  de- 
licious viands.  Many  talks  and  toasts  were  made  and 
no  one  will  forget  the  clever,  punning  ryhmes  of  Mrs. 


Fourteenth  Convention  99 

Fairbrother  bringing  in  the  names  of  so  many  co- 
workers. 

Miss  Royster,  the  last  chairman  of  Legislation,  ap- 
peared in  her  new  character  as  Mrs.  Judd  and  spent 
a  happy  hour  with  her  former  co-workers.  She  ex- 
pressed great  pleasure  at  the  reunion. 

The  truth  of  history  demands  that  it  be  recorded 
that  at  High  Point  no  picture  was  taken.  The  Hat 
was  in  exile. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

FIFTEENTH  CONVENTION 

Durham — 1917 

MoRGANTON    COUNCIL 1916 

Clubs  continued  to  be  organized  and  all  joined  the 
Federation.  A  small  proportion  withdrew,  but  many 
of  them  for  the  purpose  of  forming  Departmental 
Clubs  and  coming  back  to  the  Federation  in  the  new 
form. 

The  vision  of  all  was  broadening  and  unceasing  ac- 
tivity existed.  New  opportunities  for  service  were  dis- 
covered every  year  and  clubwomen  began  to  regard 
handicaps  only  as  tests  of  strength.  Difficulties  be- 
came stimulants  and  increased  the  power  of  those 
who  overcame  the  difficulties.  Mrs.  W.  B.  Waddill  was 
solving  the  district  problem,  and  the  individual  club  re- 
port was  adjusting  itself  pleasantly  to  the  District 
Meetings.  The  World  War  was  on  and  every  woman 
was  doing  her  duty  as  a  home  soldier,  conserving  food, 
practicing  thrift  and  hoping  for  peace. 

Personalities  had  become  trifles,  for  women  who 
work  for  others  cease  to  be  narrow  minded  or  selfish. 
The  Federation  had,  been  organized  for  cooperation 
with  the  United  States  Government  by  plans  formu- 
lated under  the  advice  of  Government  officials.  A 
National  Council  of  Defense  had  been  organized  in 
each  State  of  the  Union  and  in  it  all  women  became 
united  in  service  for  the  safety  of  civilization  and  for 

[100] 


Fifteenth  Convention  101 

peace.  It  did  not  interrupt  but  greatly  increased  all 
the  club  activities.  Mr.  Wilson  bad  declared  it  the 
hour    of    test    and    American    womanhood    responded. 

The  Council  Meeting  was  held  in  Morganton  in 
November,  1916.  The  winter  work  was  planned  and 
the  arrangements  for  the  May  Convention  perfected. 
As  usual  the  hearts  and  homes  of  the  people  of  Mor- 
ganton welcomed  the  representatives  of  the  Federation. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Council  was  held  in  the 
Rest  Room  of  the  Woman's  Club,  the  President  pre- 
siding. The  afternoon  session  was  held  in  the  Amuse- 
ment Hall  at  State  Hospital  for  the  deaf  and  the 
business  of  the  morning  continued.  Reports  from 
various  Chairmen  of  Departments  and  Committees 
were  accepted.  Mrs.  J.  R.  Chamberlain  gave  an  in- 
teresting report  of  her  Committee  on  Laws  and  Legis- 
lation. The  matter  of  the  framing  of  a  bill  providing 
for  the  establishment  of  a  State  Department  of  Public 
Welfare  was  discussed.  It  was  decided  that  such  a 
bill  should  be  introduced  at  the  next  General  Assembly. 
Also  the  Council  went  on  record  as  endorsing  the  bill 
for  delinquent  girls  then  being  prepared  by  the  North 
Carolina  Conference  for  Social  Service. 

The  open  session  of  the  Council  was  held  in  the 
Auditorium  on  Thursday  evening,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook, 
Second  Vice  President  of  the  Federation,  presiding. 
Welcome  was  extended  by  Rev.  C.  C.  Gregory  for  the 
town,  Mrs.  A.  C.  Avery,  Jr.,  for  the  hostess  club,  and 
Mrs.  G.  P.  Erwin  for  the  non-federated  clubs  of  Mor- 
ganton.    Miss  Gertrude  Weil  responded  for  the  Fed- 


102  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

eration.  Brilliant  addresses  were  given  by  the  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  T.  W.  Lingle  and  Dr.  A.  A.  McGeachy,  on 
"Books  and  Bonfires." 

Another  open  meeting  was  held  in  the  Auditorium 
on  Friday  afternoon.  Possibly  the  most  interesting 
feature  of  the  program  was  the  illustrated  lecture  on 
"Conscience  in  Dress"  given  by  Mrs.  Henry  White  of 
High  Point.  Types  of  dresses  from  the  early  Colonial 
period  to  the  present  time  were  worn  by  seventeen 
Morganton  girls  who  enjoyed  the  exhibition  as  much 
as  did  the  spectators.  The  costumes  portrayed  the 
styles  in  dress  from  1790  to  1911.  Later  Charlotte, 
Wilmington,  and  Asheboro  had  this  costume  exhibition 
for  local  benefit. 

Following  Mrs.  White's  address,  Miss  Mary  C.  Rob- 
inson  of  Asheville  presented  a  pageant  play  to  the 
audience,  urging  the  preservation  of  State  and  county 
history  in  that  form  of  drama.  The  Friday  afternoon 
program  was  concluded  with  an  address  by  Mrs. 
Clarence  Johnson,  on  "The  Club  House  and  its  Re- 
lation to  the  Community."  As  President  of  the  Raleigh 
Woman's  Club  which  had  built  the  first  club  house  in 
North  Carolina,  Mrs.  Johnson  was  well  acquainted 
with  her  subject. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned. 


The  Fifteenth    Convention   of   the   Federation   met 
in  Durham  on  May  1,  1917. 


Fifteenth  Convention  103 

The  Executive  Board  met  at  the  residence  of  Mrs. 
I.  F.  Hill.  The  luncheon  to  the  Board  was  a  courtesy 
extended  by  Mrs.  T.  D.  Jones. 

The  Trustees  met  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Building  at 
4  p.m.  The  Board  of  Directors  met  in  the  court 
house  at  8  p.m. 

The  preliminary  business  having  been  transacted 
the  Convention  opened  on  "Wednesday,  May  2,  in  the 
Administration  Building  of  Trinity  College,  (now 
Duke  University),  at  9  :30  a.m.,  Mrs.  Lingle  presiding. 

After  the  invocation  the  Federation  Song  was  ren- 
dered with  Mrs.  W.  A.  French,  of  the  Music  Depart- 
ment, at  the  piano. 

Committees  on  Resolutions  and  on  Courtesies  were 
named.  After  a  few  remarks  by  the  President,  the 
reports  from  the  officers  were  read  and  accepted.  The 
Rules  and  Regulations  Committee  reported  and  moved 
the  adoption  of  the  same  rules  used  during  the  pre- 
ceding Convention. 

The  Recording  Secretary  read  that  section  of  the 
Constitution  relating  to  the  Nominating  Committee 
and  stated  that  four  offices  would  have  to  be  filled, 
the  term  of  the  President,  Second  Vice  President, 
Corresponding  Secretary,  and  Auditor  expiring  with 
the  Durham  Convention.  A  nominating  committee 
was  elected  composed  of  Mrs.  J.  R.  Chamberlain,  Mrs. 
H.  ~W.  Chase,  Mrs.  Gordon  Finger,  Mrs.  C.  L.  Ives, 
and  Miss  Gertrude  Weil. 

Reports  from  the  Treasurer  and  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees were  accepted. 

Mrs.  E.  F.  Reid  presented  33  new  clubs  added 
during  the  year.     Delegates  from  the  new  clubs  came 


104  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

forward  and  were  greeted  most  cordially  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  the  Convention. 

The  report  of  Mrs.,  Waddill,  District  Chairman,  was 
heard,  with  great  interest.  A  map  was  effectively 
used  by  Mrs.  Waddill  in  explaining  the  difficulties  in 
the  location  of  the  districts.  Reports  from  six  dis- 
tricts followed. 

After  an  intermission  of  fifteen  minutes  the  Con- 
vention assembled  in  a  Memorial  Session  to  Susan 
Moses  Graham,  (Mrs.  E.  K.  Graham)  with  Mrs.  R.  B.. 
Cotten,  Honorary  President,  in  the  chair.  After 
a  few  words  by  Mrs.  Cotten,  Rev.  W.  T.,  Moss,  pastor 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Chapel  Hill,  read  a 
selection  from  the  Fifth  Chapter  of  Matthew  fol- 
lowed by  prayer.  Mrs.  Graham  was  an  officer  and 
a  co-worker  in  the  Federation,  full  of  beautiful  courage, 
and  zeal  for  all  true  progress,  and  the  speakers  se- 
lected, for  the  memorial  addresses  all  knew  her  well. 

Dr.  Archibald  Henderson  of  the  North  Carolina 
University  was  the  first  speaker.  He  paid  a  beautiful 
tribute  to  her  as  a  woman,  loving  and  beloved,  earnest, 
strong,  and  true,  with  an  unfailing  joy  in  life  and 
in  service. 

The  second  speaker  was  Mrs.  J.  S.  Holmes  of  the 
Community  Club  of  Chapel  Hill.  She  depicted  in 
loving  words  Susan  Moses  Graham's  life  in  her  own 
community.  ISTo  more  beautiful  tribute  from  one 
woman  to  another  was  ever  spoken  and  all  knew  it 
was  true  of  the  woman  who  had  been  taken  from  us. 

Mrs.  Al  Fairbrother,  friend  and  co-worker,  was  the 
third  speaker,  giving  the  life  of  Susan  Moses  Graham 


Fifteenth  Convention  105 

as  a  clubwoman.  The  three  heartfelt  tributes  brought 
clearly  before  the  Convention  the  beautiful  character 
of  the  woman  all  loved,  and  as  never  before,  the 
women  realized  their  loss,  and  their  hearts  went  out 
in  new  sympathy  to  her  bereaved  husband,  and  to  the 
community  which  had  lost  such  a  treasure. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned  for  lunch  by  the 
Durham  Civic  League. 

The  afternoon  session  was  called  to  order  by  the 
President,  who  requested  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook,  Second  Yice 
President,  to  preside.  The  subject  for  the  afternoon 
was  Rural  Welfare  and  Community  Upbuilding.  A 
Round  Table  discussion  on  "How  has  your  club  con- 
tributed to  Community  Upbuilding"  was  entered  into 
with  great  interest  by  many  which  proved  activity  in 
many  communities. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Young,  State  Insurance  Commissioner, 
made  a  short  talk  about  the  waste  of  lives  and  prop- 
erty by  fire,  and  urged  the  women  to  help  him  in  his 
work.  It  was  moved  that  a  resolution  be  passed  favor- 
ing cooperation  with  the  Insurance  Department  of  the 
State. 

Many  reports  were  read  and  accepted,  after  which 
the  Convention  adjourned  to  attend  a  Garden  Party 
in  the  afternoon  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  W.  A.  Erwin, 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  U.  D.  C.  Chapter  of 
Durham. 

The  evening  session  was  held  in  Craven  Memorial 
Hall,  at  Trinity  College,  Mrs.  Lingle  presiding. 

Mrs.  T.  D.  Jones  welcomed  the  delegates  in  behalf 
of  the  Durham  Civic  League.     Dr.  W.  P.  Few,  Presi- 


106  Histoet  of  Women's  Clubs 

dent  of  Trinity  College,  expressed  welcome  from  the 
College.  Mr.  B.  S.  Skinner,  Mayor  of  Durham,  spoke 
for  the  city. 

Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson  responded  for  the  Federa- 
tion. Mrs.  Thrash,  President  of  the  TJ.  D.  C,  brought 
greetings  from  her  organization.  Then  followed  the 
address  of  the  President,  Mrs.  Lingle.  She  called 
special  attention  to  the  closing  words  of  President 
Wilson's  famous  War  Proclamation,  "The  supreme  test 
of  the  Nation  has  come.  We  must  all  speak,  act  and 
serve  together."  She  said  that  appeal  was  directed 
to  the  women  of  the  country  as  never  an  appeal  was 
made  before,  and  declared  the  test  applied  to  efficiency 
as  well  as  to  loyalty. 

Mrs.  William  Grimes,  Vice  President  of  Raleigh 
Chapter  of  the  American  Red  Cross,  made  a  few  timely 
remarks  about  the  importance  of  Red  Cross  work. 

An  original  poem  by  Mrs.  Willis  Peace  was  read, 
followed  by  the  singing  of  one  verse  of  "The  Star- 
Spangled  Banner."  The  Convention  remained  stand- 
ing a  minute  after  the  song  in  honor  of  Mrs.  R.  R. 
Cotten,  the  new  Director  from  Worth  Carolina  in  the 
General  Federation  of  Clubs,  who  was  to  speak.  Mrs. 
Cotten  told  them  about  the  recent  meeting  of  the 
General  Federation  Council  in  New  Orleans,  which 
she  had  attended  in  her  new  role  as  Director.  She 
told  them  how  the  General  Federation  was  planning 
to  assist  the  Government  in  the  World  War,  how 
the  clubwomen  everywhere  were  responding,  and  how 
each  state  could  cooperate  in  the  national  plans.  She 
knew   the   North    Carolina   women    would    gladly    co- 


Fifteenth  Convention  107 

operate  in  the  plans,  and  she  had  promised  to  the 
General  Federation  the  fealty  of  North  Carolina 
women. 

At  the  Biennial  in  New  York  in  1916,  the  General 
Federation  had  amended  its  Constitution  so  as  to  give 
each  state  representation  on  the  Board  of  Directors, 
making  a  truly  representative  National  Board  to  re- 
place the  previous  small  Board  of  eleven  women.  It 
was  a  most  democratic  action  and  met  with  universal 
approval.  At  New  York,  Mrs.  Lingle  had  been  elected 
as  Director  from  North  Carolina  but  had  found  it 
impossible  to  serve  and  had  tendered  her  resignation 
as  Director  to  the  Executive  Board  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Federation  of  Clubs,  which  Executive  Board  had 
elected  Mrs.  Cotten  to  succeed  Mrs.  Lingle  on  the  Gen- 
eral Federation  Board  of  Directors,  where  she  served 
for  four  years. 

After  Mrs.  Cotten's  report  of  the  meeting  in  New 
Orleans  and  the  agitation  of  preparation  for  war,  Mrs. 
Eugene  Reilley  addressed  the  Convention  on  "Ourselves 
and  Others."  The  report  of  the  General  Federation 
State  Secretary,  Miss  Gertrude  "Weil,  was  read  and  ac- 
cepted, after  which  the  Convention  adjourned  to  attend 
a  reception  in  the  Administration  building,  through  the 
courtesy  of  Trinity  College. 

Thursday  the  Convention  was  called  to  order  by  Mrs. 
Clarence  Johnson,  First  Yice  President. 

Mrs.  Lingle  had  fulfilled  her  prophecy  and  found 
a  most  efficient  Chairman  for  the  Legislation  Com- 
mittee in  Mrs.  J.  R.  Chamberlain,  of  Baleigh,  who 
then  made  her  full  report.     She  had  found  that  the 


108  Histoby  of  Women's  Clubs 

special  work  in  the  late  Legislature  (1917)  upon  which 
the  Federation  could  concentrate  its  efforts  were  the 
establishment  of  a  State  Welfare  Commission,  and  a 
State  Home  for  delinquent  girls  and  women.  She 
declared  the  1917  North  Carolina  Legislature  was  full 
of  young,  forward-looking  men,  progressive  and  con- 
structive, with  a  decided  vision  along  philanthropic 
lines.  Both  the  aforementioned  measures,  endorsed  by 
the  Federation,  had  been  passed.  The  Welfare  Com- 
mission had  no  appropriation,  the  Home  for  delinquent 
girls  had  an  insufficient  appropriation,  but  it  was  a 
step  onward,  and  would  no  doubt  grow  in  future. 

The  passage  of  the  bill  creating  this  Home  for  de- 
linquent girls,  later  to  be  known  as  Samarcand,  was 
a  great  victory  for  the  Legislative  Committee  under 
Mrs.    Chamberlain's   leadership. 

The  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs 
was  the  first  organization  to  sponsor  such  a  movement 
which  later  had  the  support  of  other  social  agencies. 

The  institution  was  a  much  needed  one  for  many 
years,  dealing  as  it  does  with  an  age-long  condition, 
and  an  ancient  evil,  but  only  of  later  years  had  the 
public  conscience  been  sufficiently  awakened  to  deal 
reasonably  and  impartially  with  the  consequences  of 
certain  sins., 

For  several  successive  General  Assemblies  the  mat- 
ter was  embodied  in  bills  and  brought  up  for  discus- 
sion, but  while  at  first  the  bills  were  considered  faulty, 
and  the  measures  defeated,  yet  inevitably  such  dis- 
cussion was  bringing  about  new  views  of  these  matters. 

In  the  winter  of  1917  the  Social  Service  Conference 
and  the  State  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  still  being 


Fifteenth  Convention  109 

actively  engaged  in  pressing  the  establishment  of  some 
kind  of  a  reformatory  for  girls  and  women,  upon  the 
General  Assembly,  and  the  social  service  elements  of 
the  churches  being  willing  to  help,  bills  were  form- 
ulated and  a  measure  was  passed,  in  the  last  part  of 
the  session.  While  perhaps  not  perfect,  this  measure 
was  truly  a  great  achievement.  Senator  A.  M.  Scales 
of  Greensboro  was  the  introducer  of  this  bill,  and  he 
was  greatly  aided  in  its  passage  by  Hon.  Walter  Mur- 
phy of  Salisbury.  The  Legislature  of  1917  was  the 
most  liberal-minded  body  of  our  experience,  and  one 
which  built  so  much  for  the  coming  race  that  it  will 
be  known  by  favorable  report  in  history  for  its  far- 
sighted  action  in  many  things.  This  liberal  assembly 
has  the  credit  for  the  achievement  as  a  beginning,  for 
it  passed  an  act  appropriating  $25,000  for  the  estab- 
lishment and  $1,000  per  annum  for  the  maintenance 
of  an  institution  which  should  try  out  this  difficult 
reform. 

The  board  of  this  institution  had  a  new  feature, 
in  that  it  had  a  majority  of  women,  and  in  that  it 
was  very  small,  consisting  only  of  five  members. 
Its  membership  was  earnestly  interested  in  the  work, 
not  only  as  a  feat  of  accomplishment,  but  also  because 
the  special  need  appealed  to  each  individual.  Dr. 
McGeachey,  the  president,  was  the  father  of  the  whole 
idea,  in  that  he  was  the  mover  of  the  first  agitation 
for  such  an  institution. 

The  board  was  appointed  by  Governor  Bickett  and 
called  into  service  on  the  28th  day  of  May,  1918.  Mr. 
R.  F.  Beasley,  State  Commissioner  of  Public  Welfare, 


110  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

was  from  the  first,  a  counselor  of  the  board,  and  was 
present  at  its  deliberations.  After  our  State  problem 
was  discussed,  in  1917,  came  the  Great  War,  with  its 
enormous  problems  of  every  sort,  and  among  them 
the  need  of  safeguarding  the  soldiers  from  every  evil. 
Hence  the  problem  of  the  United  States  War  Depart- 
ment became  the  same  as  our  local  one.  Mrs.  Martha 
P.  Falconer,  the  one  individual  who  had  been  most 
successful  in  reforming  young  women  who  had  fallen 
under  the  law  in  any  one  of  the  several  ways,  was 
consulted  constantly  by  the  proponents  of  the  bill 
before  the  Legislature  made  it  an  act.  The  bill  was 
drawn  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Legislative  Committee 
of  the  State  Federation,  Mrs.  J.  E.  Chamberlain,  con- 
sulting frequently  with  Mrs.  Falconer,  as  an  expert  in 
the  matter,  and  with  Mrs.  Kate  Burr  Johnson,  Mrs. 
B.  H.  Griffin,  Mrs.  W.  1ST.  Hutt,  Dr.  Dixon-Carroll  as 
helpers.  This  practical  counsel  was  of  the  utmost 
help.  The  plan  was  purposely  kept  simple  and  un- 
defined enough  to  give  large  discretion  in  handling 
the  women.  It  was  decided  at  an  early  meeting  of  the 
board  that  only  a  rural  situation  for  this  institution 
would  be  desirable,  and  preferably  one  in  the  approxi- 
mate center  of  the  State.  Advertising  and  inquiry 
brought  out  the  fact  that  the  sand-hill  section  was 
the  most  wholesome  and  desirable.  Mr.  E.  F..  Beasley, 
State  Commissioner,  and  Mr.  W.  S.  Blakeney,  of  the 
board  of  the  institution,  were  commissioned  to  look 
up  several  locations  offered,  and  in  their  inquiry  they 
were  assisted  by  Mr.  J.  R.  Page,  of  Aberdeen. 


Fifteenth  Convention  111 

The  property  finally  selected  was  a  rare  find,  and  a 
great  send-off  for  this  institution.  Dr.  Handford 
Henderson,  a  most  original  and  successful  educator  of 
boys,  had  a  school  for  the  sons  of  wealthy  families  at 
Samarcand  in  Moore  County,  where  he  had  conducted 
it  for  four  years.  He  was  unable  to  keep  the  desired 
teaching  force,  because  of  the  selective  draft,  but  espe- 
cially because  his  earnest  young  college  men  volunteered 
early  and  could  not  be  replaced.  He  himself  volun- 
teered also,  and  there  was  the  property  unused.  He 
sold  it  to  the  State,  partly  furnished,  at  a  reasonable 
figure. 

Miss  Agnes  McNaughton,  a  woman  trained  at  Sleigh- 
ton  Farms,  in  Pennsylvania,  under  Mrs.  Falconer,  was 
engaged  as  Superintendent.  Miss  McNaughton  has 
had  the  very  best  of  training  in  all  that  is  known  of  the 
best  practice  in  these  institutions  and  continues  to  be 
most  successful. 

The  State  Board  of  Charities  and  Public  Welfare  has 
been  much  strengthened  under  Mrs.  Kate  Burr  Johnson, 
who  was  appointed  to  replace  Mr.  Beasley,  on  his 
resignation,  and  the  whole  work  of  the  rather  novel 
experiment  has  been  carried  forward  under  her 
supervision. 

She  had  been  a  close  counselor  who  advised  each 
move  of  the  campaign  for  establishing  the  Institution. 
She  was  careful  during  her  presidency  of  the  State 
Federation  to  keep  the  women  of  the  State  informed  as 
to  the  working  of  the  plan  they  had  striven  for.  She 
is  now  in  charge  of  the  work,  and  by  this  fact  the  women 


112  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

of  the  State  are  assured  of  the  proper  administration 
of  this  child  of  the  State  Federation. 

The  report  of  the  Executive  Boards  showed  that  the 
Finance  Committee  had  evolved  a  new  plan  for  com- 
pleting the  Endowment,  which  plan  was  being  worked 
out  amidst  all  the  various  World  War  activities. 

Mrs.  S.  L.  Dill,  Jr.,  had  been  appointed  Sub- 
Chairman  of  Education  to  have  special  charge  of  the 
Loan  Fund.  In  many  Departments  the  work  had  be- 
come so  heavy  that  many  subdivisions  and  subchairmen 
had  become  necessary,  and  with  their  help  all  the  work 
went  on. 

The  Constitution  was  amended  so  as  to  provide  for 
the  election  every  two  years  of  a  Director  in  the  Gen- 
eral Federation  and  giving  her  a  vote  in  all  the  di- 
visions of  the  State  Federation. 

The  By-Laws  were  amended  to  give  the  same  privi- 
leges to  District  Presidents,  Chairman  of  Standing 
Committees,  etc. 

The  morning  session  adjourned  for  a  drive  and  lunch 
at  Chapel  Hill,  where  the  afternoon  session  was  held. 
Charming  Chapel  Hill !  Home  of  North  Carolina 
University,  with  its  literary  atmosphere  and  hospitable 
spirit,  its  natural  beauty,  its  dignified  old  oak  trees,  and 
its  tincture  of  antebellum  days!  Everybody  loved  it, 
everybody  enjoyed  it,  everybody  thought  of  "our  Susan" 
and  the  tributes  to  her  memory  which  so  recently  had 
stirred  our  hearts. 

The  session  convened  in  Gerrard  Hall.  Dr.  E.  K. 
Graham,  President  of  the  University,  made  us  welcome 
to  the  University.  "No  matter  where  you  live  or  what 


Fifteenth  Convention  113 

your  interests  are,  remember  this  is  your  University" 
he  said,  and  commended  the  clubs  for  their  efforts  to 
promote  the  cause  of  education. 

Many  reports  were  read  and  then  Mrs.  Chase,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Community  Club,  invited  all  to  luncheon 
in  Swain  Hall,  as  the  guests  of  that  club. 

In  the  afternoon,  in  the  open  air  theater  of  Battle 
Park  a  May  Pete  was  staged  for  the  pleasure  of  the 
clubwomen.  It  was  before  the  day  of  the  successes  of 
the  Carolina  Playmakers,  but  was  much  enjoyed. 

But  the  sun  would  not  stand  still  even  for  the  Fed- 
eration and  the  return  to  Durham  called  to  duty,  so 
the  "Hill"  was  necessarily  left  behind. 

The  evening  session,  assembled  in  the  Academy  of 
Music,  Mrs.  Lingle  presiding.  Miss  Elliott  of  the  North 
Carolina  College  for  Women  made  an  inspiring  and 
thoughtful  address  on  Civic  Art.  Mrs.  K.  L.  Balden- 
sperger  of  the  National  Bureau  of  Prisons  delivered 
an  address  on  Prison  Reform. 

After  singing  "America"  the  meeting  adjourned. 

Friday  morning  the  Convention  again  assembled  in 
the  Academy  of  Music;  Mrs.  Lingle  presided  and  ex- 
pedited all  business. 

The  Chairman  of  Music,  Mrs.  W.  A.  French,  reported 
that  the  successful  contestant  in  the  Music  Contest 
was  Miss  Pearl  Little  of  Hickory,  and  presented  to  Miss 
Little  a  silver  cup  upon  which  her  name  was  engraved. 
It  was  a  great  surprise  to  every  one  and  was  the  begin- 
ning of  Silver  Cups  in  the  Federation,  which  now 
awards  five  cups  each  year.  Mrs.  French  explained 
that  the  cup  had  been  purchased  with  money  from  the 


114  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

sale  of  the  Federation  Song,  which  money  had  slowly 
been  accumulating  for  several  years.  The  Federation 
was  left  to  make  rules  to  govern  the  awarding  of  the  cup. 

Mrs.  Cotten  moved  that  the  cup  be  known  as  the 
Duncan  Cup  in  honor  of  Mrs.  E.  C.  Duncan  who  had 
first  suggested  to  have  a  Federation  Song  and  who  had 
composed  the  music  for  that  song.  The  successful 
composition  by  Miss  Little  was  entitled  "A  Child's 
Wish  Granted." 

In  the  literary  contest  the  poem,  "At  the  end  of  the 
way,"  by  Mrs.  M.  C.  Robinson  of  Asheville,  was  de- 
clared the  winner. 

The  Credentials  Committee  reported  213  present  to 
vote. 

The  Nominating  Committee  then  submitted  the  fol- 
lowing: President,  Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson,  Raleigh; 
Second  Vice  President,  Mrs.  M.  C.  Robinson,  Ashe- 
ville; Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs.  Joseph  Hyde 
Pratt,  Chapel  Hill;  Auditor,  Mrs.  T.  D.  Jones,  Dur- 
ham; General  Federation  State  Secretary,  Miss  Mar- 
garet Gibson,  Wilmington;  Director  on  National 
Board,  Mrs.  R.,  R.  Cotten,  Bruce. 

Mrs.  Pratt  withdrew  her  name,  Mrs.  W.  T.  Bost, 
Raleigh,  was  nominated  in  her  place,  and  the  Secre- 
tary was  instructed  to  cast  the  vote  for  the  names 
submitted  with  Mrs.  Bost's  name  substituted. 

The  Loan  Fund  had  been  allowed  to  sleep  for  a 
season  so  as  to  give  the  Endowment  time  to  grow,  and 
the    Chairman   of   Finance   reported   it   was   growing. 

Mrs.  E.  F.  Reid  was  elected  Chairman  of  Districts. 


Fifteenth  Convention  115 

The  Resolutions  were  read,  and  contained  one  so  pa- 
triotic, pledging  loyalty  to  State  and  Nation,  that  Mrs. 
Hook  started  "The  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  in  which 
all  joined. 

Mrs.  Cotten  moved  that  the  Federation  make  a 
contribution  to  the  Susan  Moses  Graham  Memorial 
to  be  erected  at  Chapel  Hill.  This  was  carried 
enthusiastically. 

A  luncheon  given  jointly  by  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, the  Rotary  Club  and  the  Merchants  Association 
followed  the  adjournment  of  the  morning  session.  It 
was  a  most  unique  event,  given  in  the  East  Duke  Build- 
ing. Previous  to  the  luncheon  the  gentlemen  from  the 
three  organizations,  forty-five  patriotic  men  wearing 
white  coats  with  aprons,  caps,  and  ties  of  red,  white, 
and  blue,  gave  a  drill  on  the  campus  headed  by  Major 
S.  C.  Chambers.  After  the  drill  they  preceded  the  guests 
into  the  building  where  they  served  as  waiters.  A  de- 
licious luncheon  was  served  on  tables  artistically  dec- 
orated with  carnations  and  Easter  lilies,  with  the 
colors  of  the  three  civic  organizations  blended.  It  was 
a  time  given  to  merriment,  while  an  orchestra  added 
a  feast  of  music  to  the  feast  of  festivity,  fun  and  food. 

In  the  afternoon  a  beautiful  reception  was  given  by 
Mrs.  John  Sprunt  Hill  at  her  elegant  residence  on 
Duke  Street.  With  such  a  charming  hostess  there  could 
be  only  pleasure,  and  appreciation  of  the  courtesy. 

The  final  session  of  the  Convention  was  called  to 
order  in  the  Academy  of  Music,  on  Friday  evening,  the 
President,  Mrs.  Lingle,  presiding. 


116  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Miss  Bettie  Windley,  Chairman  of  Literature,  read 
her  report,  after  which  she  presented  Mrs.  M.  C.  Rob- 
inson of  Asheville,  winner  in  the  literary  contest.  Mrs. 
Robinson  then  read  her  winning  poem  "At  the  end  of 
the  way."  Miss  Ross  then  sang  the  winning  music 
number,  "The  Child's  Wish  Granted,"  by  Miss  Little, 
who  accompanied  the  singer  of  her  cup-winning 
composition. 

An  address  on  the  "Study  of  Latin  America"  was 
made  by  Prof.  W.  W.  Pierson  of  Chapel  Hill. 

Dr.  Thomas  W.  Lingle  of  Davidson  College,  delivered 
a  profound  address  on  "The  Latin  American  Peoples 
and  their  Problems." 

The  Resolutions  were  reported  and  the  courtesies 
acknowledged.  The  new  officers  were  brought  to  the 
platform  and  presented  to  their  "constituents,"  to  whom 
they  all  promised  cheerful  allegiance. 

A  rising  vote  of  thanks  was  given  the  retiring  Pres- 
ident for  her  faithful  services.  She  acknowledged  in 
a  few  appropriate  remarks  and  then  surrendered  the 
gavel  to  the  newly  elected  President  who  declared  the 
Convention   adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

SIXTEENTH  CONVENTION 

Raleigh — 1918 
Winston-Salem  Council — 1917 

In  the  autumn  of  1917  the  Council  of  the  State  Fed- 
eration of  "Women's  Clubs  met  in  Winston-Salem  upon 
the  invitation  of  Miss  Adelaide  Fries,  Past  President 
of  the  State  Federation.  The  meetings  were  held  in 
the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  It  was  a  small  Council  meeting,  and 
all  of  the  time  was  given  to  transacting  business.  Our 
country  was  at  war,  and  the  women  had  neither  time 
nor  interest  to  give  to  social  functions. 

Early  in  the  year  the  Executive  Board  of  the  Fed- 
eration had  accepted  the  invitation  of  the  Woman's 
Club  of  Waynesville  to  hold  the  Council  meeting  in 
Waynesville,  but  as  time  went  on  it  seemed  advisable 
on  account  of  war  conditions  to  meet  in  some  more 
accessible  place;  so  Winston-Salem  was  substituted  for 
Waynesville. 


The  year  1918  was  a  memorable  year  all  over  the 
world.  Every  one  was  doing  World  War  Work  and 
hoping  for  peace.  It  was  a  time  of  stress,  but  the 
month  of  May  found  the  Raleigh  clubwomen  full  of 
happy  anticipations  because  the  Federation  was  to  meet 
in  the  Capital  City  in  May.     The  new  Club  House, 

[117] 


118  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

the  first  in  North  Carolina  to  he  huilt  by  a  "Woman's 
Club,  especially  for  cluh  meetings  and  other  public 
functions,  was  in  readiness  and  the  women  were  justly 
proud  of  their  achievement.  For  many  years  the 
Raleigh  Woman's  Club  had  aspired  to  a  club  house  of 
its  own.  In  1906  the  club  had  bought  a  residence 
fronting  the  Capitol  Square,  and  made  of  it  a  tem- 
porary club  house,  without  relinquishing  the  desire  to 
build  one  to  meet  the  needs  of  such  a  large  club  with 
high  ambition.  In  a  few  years  the  State  needed  the 
site  on  which  their  temporary  club  house  stood,  and  a 
sale  to  the  State  was  effected  at  a  good  advance  on 
the  purchase  price.  A  desirable  site  on  Hillsboro 
Street,  not  far  from  the  Capitol  was  purchased  and 
plans  for  a  club  house  perfected.  Undismayed  by 
a  small  debt,  that  club  saw  its  dream  come  true  in  the 
completion  of  a  commodious  club  house  which  gave  stim- 
ulus and  encouragement  to  many  other  clubs  with 
similar  aspirations.  That  was  a  tribute  to  the  wis- 
dom loyalty,  fidelity  and  cooperation  of  a  Building 
Committee  composed  of  women  who  personally  super- 
vised every  step  of  the  work. 

At  last  the  Federation  was  coming  and  the  Club 
House  was  ready  to  receive  it.  Another  interesting 
feature  of  the  occasion  was  that  the  beloved  Mrs. 
Clarence  Johnson,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Building 
Committee,  and  who  was  President  of  the  Raleigh 
Club  when  the  Club  House  was  completed,  had  been 
elected  President  of  the  Federation,  and  was  to  hold 
her  first  Convention  in  the  new  Club  House.  So  de- 
spite of  War  in  France,  the  Raleigh  clubwomen  were 


Sixteenth  Convention  119 

exultant  for  already  their  Club  House  was  serving  as 
a  Red  Cross  Center  in  which  all  were  serving  humanity. 

The  Committee  on  Arrangements  had  announced  that 
the  Convention  was  not  to  be  a  social  function,  but 
a  meeting  of  serious  minded  women,  and  that  the  key- 
note of  the  Convention  would  be  "War  Service.  Sev- 
eral unique  features  characterized  that  Convention. 
One  was  a  request  that  Governor  T.  "W.  Bickett  come 
to  the  meeting  and  administer  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  women  in  Convention  assembled,  which  he  did. 
Not  that  any  one  doubted  any  one's  loyalty  but  all 
wished  to  reiterate  and  impress  their  allegiance  to 
their   country. 

The  meeting  of  the  Executive  Board  was  followed  by 
a  luncheon  by  Mrs.  George  Lay,  President  of  the 
Raleigh  Woman's  Club.  The  Trustees  and  Board  of 
Directors  met  in  the  afternoon.  The  Convention  was 
formally  opened  in  the  Auditorium  of  the  Club  House 
on  Tuesday  evening,  May  28,  1918,  the  President  of 
the  Federation,  Mrs.  Johnson,  in  the  chair. 

After  an  invocation  by  Dr..  George  Lay,  and  the 
singing  of  "America,"  Mrs.  Lay,  President  of  the 
Raleigh  Women's  Club,  welcomed  the  Federation  in 
behalf  of  the  club.  Judge  Crawford  Biggs  spoke  for 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  Mrs.  T.  D.  Jones  re- 
sponded for  the  Federation. 

Mrs.  Jacksie  Daniels  Thrash,  President  of  the  North 
Carolina  Division  U.  D.  C,  Mrs.  Marshall  Williams, 
President  of  the  D.  A.  R.,  and  Mrs.  McKinnon,  rep- 
resenting the  South  Carolina  Federation,  all  delivered 
greetings  from  their  respective  organizations. 


120  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

At  this  juncture  Mrs.  Josiah  Evans  Cowles,  Pres- 
ident of  the  General  Federation  of  Clubs,  entered 
the  auditorium.  She  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Johnson 
as  the  special  guest  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation 
and  the  assembly  arose  in  her  honor. 

Then  followed  the  address  of  the  President.  She 
stressed  the  service  of  clubwomen  in  all  war  time  ac- 
tivities such  as  the  sale  of  Liberty  Bonds,  War  Sav- 
ing Stamps,  and  the  unceasing  Red  Cross  work.  She 
stated  that  no  record  was  available  of  the  first  Liberty 
Bond  campaign,  but  of  the  second  loan,  the  women 
sold  $2,393,740  worth,  and  of  the  third  the  women 
sold  $7,250,000  worth.  She  added  that  the  Fed- 
eration had  bought  a  $1,000  bond  as  an  investment  for 
the  Endowment.  She  urged  the  women  to  bind  them- 
selves by  solemn  obligation  not  to  use  German  goods, 
and  to  allow  no  criticism  of  the  President  nor  of  the 
United  States  Government,  and  to  permit  no  German 
propaganda  to  go  unheeded  or  unchecked.  Her  ad- 
dress was  a  masterpiece  and  fell  on  attentive  ears. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  session  a  reception  by 
Governor  and  Mrs.  Bickett  was  given  at  the  Executive 
Mansion. 

The  statements  given  in  Mrs.  Johnson's  address  caused 
a  survey  to  be  made  of  the  activities  of  the  officers  of 
the  Federation  at  that  time.  The  result  was  a  most 
interesting  sidelight  on  the  activities  of  the  officers. 
From  knitting  to  occupying  pulpits  were  found  among 
their  works.  Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson,  President  of 
the  Federation,  and  First  Vice  President  of  the  Con- 
ference for  Social  Service,  had  served  on  the  Finance 


Sixteenth  Convention  121 

Committees  of  the  State  Council  of  Defense,  and  on 
the  Central  Committee  of  the  Third  Liberty  Loan 
Campaign.  As  chairman  of  the  School  Committee,  and 
as  President  of  the  Raleigh  Club  her  work  for  the 
promotion  of  home  security  was  varied  and  extensive. 

Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook,  Vice  President  of  the  Federation, 
was  Vice  President  of  the  Mecklenburg  County  unit 
of  the  Woman's  Committee  of  the  Council  of  Na- 
tional Defense,  and  Chairman  of  Education  of  the 
Charlotte  Chapter  of  the  American  Red  Cross.  Her 
home  being  near  Camp  Green,  she  took  an  active  part 
in  all  things  which  were  for  the  benefit  of  that  camp 
and  was  Chairman  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Finance  Com- 
mittee Campaign  which  raised  $2,500  for  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  She  assisted  in  cataloguing  the  books 
for  Camp  Green,  and  in  presenting  a  historical  pageant 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Red  Cross.  She  also  assisted  in 
the  war  work  of  the  D.  A.  R.  and  the  Colonial  Dames. 

Mrs.  James  Gudger,  Second  Vice  President  of  the 
Federation,  was  Chairman  of  the  Home  Relief  Com- 
mittee of  the  North  Carolina  Division  Council  of  Na- 
tional Defense  and  active  in  all  War  Work., 

Miss  Clara  Cox,  Recording  Secretary  of  the  Federa- 
tion, took  the  pulpit  of  the  pastor  of  a  rural  church 
near  High  Point,  who  resigned  to  take  up  Army 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  work.  Being  a  member  of  the  Friends 
Church  she  has  equal  rights  with  men  to  serve  as  a 
preacher.  She  was  President  of  a  Woman's  War 
Prayer  League,  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the 
High  Point  Red  Cross  Chapter,  assisted  in  forming 
three  Auxiliaries  of  the  same  and  made  many  public 


122  History  of  "Women's  Clubs 

talks  on  Food  Conservation.  In  the  Second  Liberty 
Loan  Campaign  she  was  Chairman  of  the  Woman's 
Committee  in  Guilford  County,  in  which  the  women 
of  High  Point,  under  her  leadership  sold  $150,000 
worth  of  bonds. 

Mrs.  Thomas  Bost,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
Federation,  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  Canvassers  during  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  the 
Y.  W.  C.  A.  War  Campaigns  conducted  through  the 
churches;  was  a  member  of  the  Publicity  Committee 
of  the  campaign  undertaken  by  the  Child  Welfare 
Unit  of  the  Council  of  National  Defense,  and  was  an 
active  worker  in  the  Red  Cross. 

Miss  Fries,  Treasurer  of  the  Federation,  was  busy 
in  all  War  Work,  securing  Red  Cross  members,  buying 
War  Savings  Stamps,  and  organizing  War  Savings  So- 
cieties, knitting,  working  in  her  War  Garden  and  many 
activities  along  useful  lines. 

Mrs.  T.  D.  Jones,  Auditor  of  the  Federation,  led  her 
Civic  League  into  all  War  Work  from  selling  bonds 
and  helping  the  Red  Cross  to  collecting  books  and  maga- 
zines for  the  soldiers. 

Such  was  the  material  of  which  that  Board  was  made ! 

All  the  sessions  of  that  1918  Convention  were  held 
in  the  Auditorium  of  the  Club  House. 

The  fall  of  the  gavel  on  Wednesday  morning  was 
followed  by  an  invocation  and  the  singing  of  the  Fede- 
ration Song. 

Mrs.  Antoinette  Funk,  another  Federation  guest,  was 
presented  and  welcomed. 


Sixteenth  Convention  123 

Reports  followed  from  Departments  and  District 
Presidents.  Miss  Margaret  Gibson  read  two  poems 
written  by  Miss  Gordon  Thompson,  who  for  four  years 
had  been  using  the  Loan  Fund  to  complete  her  educa- 
tion at  the  State  Normal.  Miss  Thompson  was  pres- 
ent and  was  presented  to  the  Convention.  She  told  of 
the  good  work  the  Loan  Fund  was  doing,  expressed  her 
appreciation  of  the  opportunity  to  use  it,  which  caused 
many  voluntary  additions  to  be  made  to  the  Fund. 

Mrs.  W.  T.  Bost  read  a  telegram  of  regret  and  good 
wishes  for  the  meeting  from  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten  who  was 
at  the  bedside  of  her  husband  in  a  sanitarium.  A 
telegram  of  sympathy  was  ordered  sent  to  Mrs.  Cotten, 
also  one  to  Mrs.  Gudger,  absent  because  of  the  illness 
of  her  husband. 

Miss  Gibson  read  the  report  of  Mrs.  Cotten  as  Di- 
rector from  North  Carolina  on  the  National  Board. 
Mrs.  Cowles  kindly  explained  the  work  of  the  War- 
Victory  Commission  of  which  Mrs.  Cotten  was  a  mem- 
ber. Mrs.  Cotten  reported  $1,600.50  contributed  by 
the  North  Carolina  clubs  to  the  fund  for  the  purpose  of 
maintaining  Furlough  Homes  in  France  for  our  soldiers, 
and  that  one  girl  from  North  Carolina,  Miss  Eugenia 
Rowe  of  Asheville,  had  gone  to  France  with  the  General 
Federation  Unit  of  one  hundred  girls  sent  over  for 
special  service. 

The  report  of  the  Trustees  recommended  that  no 
girl  be  permitted  to  borrow  from  the  Loan  Fund 
more  than  $200  for  any  one  year,  and  not  more  than 
$400  altogether. 


124  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  Credentials  Committee  reported  202  delegates. 
The  Nominating  Committee  was  elected  in  accordance 
with  the  Constitution. 

It  was  moved  that  on  the  next  day  a  period  of  prayer 
be  observed  in  compliance  with  the  wish  of  President 
Wilson  in  setting  apart  the  day  for  fasting  and  prayer. 
Mrs.  George  Lay  was  requested  to  arrange  such  services. 

The  Convention  adjourned  for  luncheon,  which  was 
given  through  the  courtesy  of  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

The  afternoon  session  was  given  over  to  Department 
reports  and  general  discussion,  after  which  an  auto- 
mobile drive  around  the  city  ended  in  a  delightful  tea 
at  Nordell  Hill,  the  log  bungalow  of  Dr.  Dixon-Carroll 
in  Bloomsbury  Wood. 

The  evening  session  was  presided  over  by  Mrs. 
Hook,  who  presented  Mrs.  T.  W.  Bickett,  the  pop- 
ular wife  of  the  Governor,  a  woman  interested  in 
all  good  movements,  and  from  whom  all  women  receive 
inspiration. 

Mrs.  Bickett  in  a  few  gracious  and  appropriate  words 
introduced  Mrs.  Josiah  Evans  Cowles,  President  of 
General  Federation  of  Clubs,  as  a  woman  beloved  from 
California  to  Carolina.,  Mrs.  Cowles  then  gave  the 
address  of  the  evening,  telling  of  the  war  work  of  the 
General  Federation  in  cooperation  with  the  Govern- 
ment, in  which  all  the  states  were  helping.  She  urged 
the  women  to  continue  faithful  in  both  remedial  and 
constructive  work. 

The  program  for  the  remainder  of  the  evening  was 
in  charge  of  Mrs.  Norman  Wills,  Chairman  of  Music. 
The  St.   Cecilia   Club  of  Raleigh  gave   a   number   of 


Sixteenth  Convention  125 

selections  from  American  composers,  under  the  director- 
ship of  Mr.  It.  Blinn  Owen. 

Thursday  morning  another  business  session  was  held, 
Mrs.  Johnson  in  the  chair. 

Mrs.  Antoinette  Funk  was  presented  and  welcomed. 

Business  proceeded  until  eleven  o'clock,  when,  in 
accordance  with  a  motion  previously  carried,  the  Con- 
vention paused  for  a  period  of  silent  prayer,  after 
which  Mrs.  Lingle  made  an  earnest  petition  for  our 
country  and  our  soldiers  in  France.  Then  "My  Faith 
Looks  up  to  Thee"  and  "Star  Spangled  Banner"  were 
sung. 

A  brief  intermission  was  then  taken  after  which  the 
Convention  reassembled  to  hear  an  address  by  Governor 
Bickett.  Nothing  more  impressive,  nothing  more  ear- 
nest, had  ever  been  heard  by  the  Clubs.  It  was  a  pro- 
test against  a  double  standard  of  morals,  which  all 
women  have  approved  of  and  worked  for  without  suc- 
cess. It  was  a  new  thing  for  a  public  man  to  publicly 
declare  himself  thus,  and  raised  a  new  hope  in  the 
hearts  of  his  hearers.  He  emphasized  the  need  of  clean 
men,  and  commented  on  the  fact  that  29  per  cent  of 
the  drafted  men  were  rejected  after  examination,  as 
"unfit."  He  asked  the  vital  question  "Is  a  man  fit  to 
marry  who  is  unfit  to  fight  ?"  It  was  a  searching  ques- 
tion and  he  dwelt  on  it,  and  on  what  could  be  done  to 
decrease  vice  diseases. 

It  was  a  magnificant  address  and  touched  a  respon- 
sive chord  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  heard  it.  At  the 
close  he  was  given  an  ovation  of  applause,  after  which 
he  administered  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  United 


126  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

States,  the  members  of  the  Convention  standing  with 
right  hands  uplifted.  It  was  a  most  impressive 
occasion. 

Many  reports  which  followed  told  of  the  adoption  of 
many  French  and  Belgian  orphans  by  the  clubs. 
Through  the  proper  channels  checks  were  sent  yearly 
for  the  maintenance  of  those  orphans. 

Mrs.  Chamberlain,  Chairman  of  Legislation,  read 
her  report  which  was  full  of  suggestions.  She  moved 
that  the  President  appoint  a  special  committee  em- 
bodying her  suggestions  which  were  in  accord  with 
the  recommendations  of  Governor  Biekett.  The  com- 
mittee was  named  and  the  resolution  endorsed  when 
presented. 

Mrs.  Piatt  of  Charlotte  read  an  interesting  account 
of  the  Biennial  in  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas.  She  told 
of  the  invitation  from  the  city  of  Asheville,  from  the 
federated  clubs  of  Asheville,  and  from  the  North 
Carolina  Federation  of  Clubs,  to  the  Council  of  the 
General  Federation  to  hold  its  next  Mid-Biennial  Meet- 
ing in  Asheville  in  1919.  The  invitation  had  been  ac- 
cepted, and  all  over  the  United  States  clubwomen  were 
anticipating  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  far  famed 
beauties    of    Asheville. 

Mrs.  Fairbrother  reported  $138.30  on  hand  for  the 
Susan  Moses  Graham  memorial  at  Chapel  Hill. 
Mrs.  Fairbrother  was  continued  as  Chairman  of  that 
fund,  and  the  hope  was  expressed  that  more  might  be 
added  to  it. 

An  amendment  to  Article  10,  Section  1,  of  the  Con- 
stitution, was  approved  by  motion.     The  amendment 


Sixteenth  Convention  127 

increased  the  dues  from  10  cents  per  capita  to  15  cents 
per  capita,  and  that  the  club  pay  25  cents  as  that  club's 
share  of  the  dues  from  the  State  Federation  to  the 
General  Federation. 

Another  feature  of  that  Convention  was  the  ap- 
proval of  a  motion  to  discontinue  the  soliciting  of 
homes  for  the  delegates  to  a  Convention.  Hospitality 
was  not  doubted  but  the  Federation  had  grown  so 
large  that  the  work  of  securing  homes  had  become 
strenuous.  It  was  passed  without  objection,  all  realiz- 
ing the  situation,  and  from  that  time  the  delegates 
have  been  very  happy  and  free,  sojourning  in  hotels. 

Then  the  committee  on  Resolutions  reported  and  the 
long  delayed  storm  burst.  For  many  years  the  expe- 
diency of  adopting  a  resolution  in  favor  of  Suffrage  for 
women  had  been  discussed  at  each  Convention  but  in 
respect  to  many,  who  believed  in  it  but  thought  the 
time  for  action  had  not  come,  it  had  not  been  brought 
before  the  Convention  until  the  Raleigh  Meeting.  It 
was  the  thirteenth  Resolution,  and  the  last  one  to  be 
read.  Again  superstition  was  defied,  and  after  some 
discussion  the  Resolution  endorsing  Suffrage  for  women 
was  passed  amidst  great  applause.  The  Correspond- 
ing Secretary  was  instructed  to  send  a  telegram  to 
Senators  Overman  and  Simmons,  announcing  the  action 
of  the  Convention,  as  the  Suffrage  Amendment  to 
the  United  States  Constitution  was  at  that  time  being 
discussed  in  the  Senate.  It  was  considered  a  good 
day's  work  and  the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  discuss 
the  victory. 


128  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  evening  session  of  that  memorable  day  was  held 
in  the  Auditorium  of  Meredith  College,  Mrs.  Johnson 
presiding. 

Mrs.  White  reported  for  the  Courtesies  Committee 
and  expressed  the  universal  appreciation  of  many- 
pleasures. 

The  three  new  officers  had  been  duly  nominated 
and  elected  and  were  presented  to  the  Convention  that 
evening  as  follows,  by  Mrs.  Johnson:  First  Vice 
President,  Miss  Clara  Cox,  High  Point;  Recording 
Secretary,  Miss  Harriet  Elliott,  Greensboro ;  Treasurer, 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Brodie,  Henderson. 

The  singing  of  Miss  Lora  Lulsdorf  of  the  State 
Normal  delighted  the  audience. 

Mrs.  Antoinette  Punk  was  then  introduced  as  Sec- 
retary McAdoo's  "right  hand  man"  and  Vice  Chairman 
of  the  Liberty  Loan  Committee.  She  made  an  eloquent 
address,  reviewing  the  history  of  women  from  virtual 
slavery  to  the  present  time,  and  the  history  of  democ- 
racy up  to  the  World  War  struggle  for  the  freedom 
of  the  world.  She  was  much  enjoyed  and  her  address 
greatly  applauded. 

After  other  selections  by  Miss  Lulsdorf  the  Sixteenth 
Convention  of  the  North  Carolina  Pederation 
adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

MID-BIENNIAL  COUNCIL  MEETING 
GENERAL  FEDERATION  OF  CLUBS 

ASHEVILLE 1919 

With  confidence  born  of  genuine  club  spirit,  and  a 
consciousness  of  ability  to  succeed,  the  North.  Caro- 
lina Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  in  cooperation  with 
the  city  of  Asheville,  and  the  Women's  Clubs  of  Ashe- 
ville  had  invited  the  Council  of  the  General  Federation 
to  hold  a  session  in  Asheville  and  see  the  beauty  of 
North  Carolina  scenery  from  that  vantage  point. 

The  invitation  had  been  accepted,  and  the  time  of 
the  meeting  arranged  to  precede  the  annual  Con- 
vention of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  in 
Hendersonville. 

This  was  done  so  that  delegates  and  visitors  to  the 
North  Carolina  Convention  could  enjoy  the  pleasures 
and  privileges  of  the  General  Federation  Council  Meet- 
ing, and  then  proceed  to  Hendersonville,  without  ad- 
ditional expense  to  Asheville. 

It  was  perhaps  the  grandest  and  most  beautiful 
woman's  meeting  ever  staged  in  the  Old  North  State. 
With  Asheville  secenery  as  a  background,  with  Grove 
Park  Inn  as  official  headquarters  and  Battery  Park  as 
State  headquarters,  with  perfect  weather  and  unbounded 
hospitality  the  event  impressed  every  visitor  in  a  way 
never  to  be  forgotten. 

[129] 


130  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

A  joint  committee  of  arrangements  from  the  General 
Federation,  the  North  Carolina  Federation  and  from 
Asheville  duly  met  in  Asheville  and  formulated  plans 
for  the  pleasure  and  entertainment  of  the  visiting  club- 
women. North  Carolina  was  on  its  mettle,  and  there 
was  nothing  going  to  be  left  undone,  all  were  agreed 
on  that  point. 

Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley,  representing  the  General  Fed- 
eration, of  which  she  was  Second  Vice  President,  had 
been  named  as  Chairman  of  Program.  Every  one  knew 
the  program  would  be  satisfactory.  She  knew  how  to 
please  the  General  Federation  women.  Mrs.  R.  R. 
Cotten,  Director  from  North  Carolina  on  the  National 
Board  of  Directors,  had  been  appointed  Chairman  of 
Local  Arrangements.  Her  heart  and  her  ambition  were 
all  in  the  work,  but  unfortunately  she  lived  in  the  ex- 
treme eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  could  do  but  little 
in  the  local  preparations.  She  was  not  dismayed  nor 
discouraged.  She  knew  Asheville,  she  knew  Asheville 
clubwomen  and  she  knew  they  would  do  everything  pos- 
sible. A  preliminary  meeting  was  planned,  and  Mrs. 
Reilley  and  Mrs.  Cotten  journeyed  to  Asheville  where 
a  wonderful  "Get-together"  Luncheon  was  enjoyed  at 
Battery  Park  attended  by  many  Asheville  women,  and 
representatives  from  the  city  and  from  the  Men's  Clubs 
and  others.  It  was  most  enjoyable.  Mrs.  Clarence 
Johnson,  President  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation, 
Mrs.  Bickett,  Mrs.  Malcolm  Piatt,  Mrs.  James  Gudger, 
Mrs.  T.  A.  Cosgrove  and  many  others  were  there.  The 
men  promised  to  stand  back  of  the  women  in  all  their 
efforts   and    the   women   believed    them.      The   women 


State  and  General   Councils  131 

promise  each  other  cooperation  and  faith.  At  that 
meeting  innumerable  committees  with  innumerable 
duties  were  appointed.  From  Credentials  to  Courtesies, 
from  decorations  to  badges — everything  was  thought  of 
and  when  all  was  through,  Asheville  was  no  longer  a 
city  of  individuals  but  a  city  of  committees  with  duties 
to  be  performed  and  be  it  said  those  duties  were  well 
performed. 

Mrs.  James  Gudger,  Chairman  of  Local  Arrange- 
ments, knew  her  city  and  its  men  and  women,  and  no 
people  ever  responded  more  cheerfully  and  generously 
to  every  demand  than  did  the  people  of  Asheville,  and 
their  reward  was  great  in  the  appreciation  of  the  visi- 
tors. Finally  with  everything  in  readiness  the  day  for 
the  opening  meeting  dawned,  May  26,  1919. 

Grove  Park  Inn,  the  most  unique  hotel  in  the  world, 
was  aglow  with  enthusiastic  women,  to  whom  its  unique 
features  appealed  and  who  found  on  every  side,  new 
wonders  and  beautiful  "views."  Battery  Park  and 
other  hotels  were  also  full  of  clubwomen.  Many  hus- 
bands had  accompanied  their  wives,  notably  Dr.  -  Josiah 
Evans  Cowles,  husband  of  the  President  of  the  General 
Federation  and  a  native  of  North  Carolina.  The  golf 
links  and  other  pastimes  kept  them  happy  while  their 
wives  were  in  busy  business  sessions.  Mrs.  Vanderbilt 
opened  the  Biltmore  Estate  for  a  drive,  by  the  Rota- 
rians,  each  with  a  cargo  of  clubwomen.  Luncheons, 
teas,  drives,  business  sessions,  receptions  and  exclama- 
tions of  delight  from  the  visiting  clubwomen  filled  each 
day  to  the  great  gratification  of  the  North  Carolina 
clubwomen,  proud  of  their  beautiful  mountains. 


132  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  declaration  of  an  old  darkey  porter  at  the  station 
was  true,  because  in  spite  of  fatigue  and  confusion  the 
women  were  pleasant  (and  perhaps  "tipping").  He 
said,  "Yas  suh,  quality  fokes  beats  tother  kind,  and 
dese  is  all  quality  fokes,"  which  was  a  real  compliment 
from  one  who  knew  people  from  long  experience. 

At  that  meeting  43  states  were  represented  as  follows  : 
North  Carolina  the  hostess  state  had  356;  Massachu- 
setts 21;  Illinois  13;  Virginia  11;  South  Carolina  11; 
Georgia  11 ;  Florida  10 ;  Pennsylvania  8 ;  Mississippi 
10;  Missouri  7;  Indiana  7;  Maine  6;  West  Virginia 
6 ;  Kentucky  5  ;  California  6  ;  Iowa  4 ;  Vermont  4 ;  New 
Mexico  3 ;  London  1 ;  Japan  1. 

Where  so  much  was  beautiful  and  wonderful  it  is 
hard  to  select  any  one  thing  for  special  mention,  but 
possibly  the  most  unique  feature  of  the  public  meetings 
was  the  singing  of  "Spirituals"  by  the  colored  children 
of  the  colored  public  schools  of  Asheville.  Those 
"Spirituals"  were  well  rendered  and  showed  good  train- 
ing and  such  a  scene  could  only  be  produced  in  the 
South.  The  "Spirituals"  were  familiar  to  Southern 
women,  but  women  from  the  West  and  North,  who  had 
heard  of  such  things  but  had  never  seen  them,  were  in- 
structed and  entertained,  the  famous  "Swing  low,  Sweet 
Chariot"  giving  special  pleasure. 

The  Rose  Tea,  complimentary  to  the  guests  by  the 
courtesy  of  the  Country  Club  and  the  City  Federation 
of  Clubs  was  a  dream  of  beauty,  a  picture  from  fairy- 
land. Pink  roses  bloomed  everywhere,  great  garlands  of 
the  pink  beauties  were  suspended  from  the  ceiling  and 


State  and  General   Councils  133 

draped  the  pillars.  Even  the  cream  was  in  the  form 
of  pink  roses  whose  beauty  it  seemed  sacrilege  to 
mutilate. 

Another  notable  event  was  an  elaborate  banquet  given 
to  the  distinguished  guests  by  the  North  Carolina  Fed- 
eration. Mrs.  Reilley  was  toastmistress  and  had  ar- 
ranged a  program  worthy  of  her.  Many  distinguished 
women  were  on  that  program,  Mrs.  Sidney  Porter, 
Mrs.  William  Jennings  Bryan,  Mrs.  Cowles  of  the  Gen- 
eral Federation,  Mrs.  Johnson  of  the  North  Carolina 
Federation,  Mrs.  Cotten,  Mrs.  T.  W.  Bickett  and  many, 
many  more  all  added  something  to  the  brilliant 
occasion. 

Alas !  for  human  joy.  Everything  beautiful  and 
happy  must  pass,  and  the  days  sped  swiftly  on. 

During  the  closing  exercises  Mrs.  Fairbrother  pre- 
sented to  Mrs.  Cowles,  for  the  General  Federation,  a 
gavel  made  from  a  tree  which  grew  in  the  historic  Guil- 
ford Court  House  Battle  Ground. 

For  the  North  Carolina  Federation,  Mrs.  Johnson 
presented  to  Mrs.  Cowles  a  hand  carved  teatable,  made 
from  walnut  wood  from  the  Biltmore  Estate  and 
carved  by  native  mountain  boys.  Having  a  husband 
born  and  reared  in  North  Carolina,  Mrs.  Cowles  did  not 
need  other  material  things  to  remind  her  of  her  visit 
to  his  native  State,  but  she  was  pleased  to  accept  most 
graciously  the  token  of  the  esteem  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina clubwomen. 

After  a  few  minutes  of  silent  prayer  Mrs.  Cowles 
declared  the  Council  Meeting  adjourned. 


134  History  of  Women's  Cltjbs 


WOMEN'S   CLUBS 

(Editorial  From  Asheville  Citizen,  January  17,  1919) 

There  was  a  time  when  men  generally  "tolerated"  wom- 
en's clubs  with  a  sort  of  superior  wisdom.  "The  women — 
God  bless  'em — have  a  good  time  fighting  among  themselves, 
so  why  bother  them?"  was  a  favorite  line  of  thought  for 
the  man  of  the  house,  lord  of  the  manor,  and  thoroughly 
mistaken  individual  who  was  wont  to  refer  to  womankind  as 
the  "weaker  sex."  But  we  are  gradually  throwing  such 
ideas  into  the  discard,  and  the  day  is  not  far  distant 
when  the  masculine  biped  will  see  the  light. 

It  has  been  the  happy  privilege  of  some  men  in  recent 
months  to  note  the  inner  workings  of  women's  clubs,  and 
to  become  more  closely  identified  with  women's  movements 
along  the  lines  of  uplift  and  development.  To  these  have 
come  revelation  and  inspiration,  a  realization  of  the  fact 
that  women's  clubs  and  organizations  have  not  frittered 
away  their  time  in  frivolous  and  useless  discussion,  but 
have  quietly  but  none  the  less  effectively  worked  for 
high  ideals  and  splendid  principles.  Their  discussions 
and  debates  have  been  along  lines  that  really  stand  for 
things  that  are  worth  while.  And  perhaps  it  would  take 
some  of  the  conceit  out  of  men  could  they  hear  some  of 
the  eloquent  and  forceful  speeches  that  are  delivered  by 
women,  old  and  young,  at  these  club  meetings.  Without 
apology  or  excuse,  without  the  self-depreciation  where- 
with men  usually  preface  their  remarks  at  public  gather- 
ings, your  modern  woman  can  launch  into  the  discussion 
of  almost  any  topic,  and  her  remarks  are  generally  flavored 
with  an  abundance  of  sound  reasoning  and  common  sense. 

All  of  which  leads  us  to  say  that  woman's  day  has 
arrived,  never  to  depart.  From  the  back  seat  of  obscurity, 
she  has  stepped  with  easy  grace  to  the  front  ranks  of  world 
activities  and  there  is  none  to  say  her  nay.  And  "between 
us  girls"  the  world  is  going  to  be  a  happier  and  brighter 
place  wherein  to  live,  because  of  her  coming. 


CHAPTEE  XX 

SEVENTEENTH  CONVENTION 

Hendersonville — 1 919 

From  Asheville,  the  North  Carolina  clubwomen, 
enthusiastic  and  pleased  with  the  success  of  the  Ashe- 
ville meeting,  proceeded  to  Hendersonville  to  hold  their 
own  Convention.  Mrs.  Josiah  Evans  Cowles,  Miss 
Georgia  Bacon,  Mrs.  Keilley,  Mrs.  John  D.  Sherman, 
Mrs.  Cyrus  Perkins,  Dr.  Eachel  Yarras  and  other  rep- 
resentatives of  the  General  Federation  also  repaired 
to  Hendersonville,  the  guests  of  the  Hendersonville 
club  women.  No  greater  hospitality  ever  greeted  a 
body  of  women  than  was  extended  at  Hendersonville. 
Mrs.  B.  H.  Colt,  President  Woman's  Club,  and  Mrs. 
R.  P.  Freeze,  District  President,  had  perfected  all  plans 
for  the  comfort  and  entertainment  of  the  guests.  Grove 
Park  Inn  and  Battery  Park  were  not  missed  for  Hen- 
dersonville had  opened  its  hearts  and  homes  to  the 
visitors,  and  some  who  preferred  hotels  were  given 
rooms  there. 

The  war  was  ended,  but  the  necessities  of  Peace  were 
just  as  urgent,  and  the  women,  on  the  eve  of  enfran- 
chisement, seemed  to  feel  approaching  responsibilities. 

On  Monday  the  Executive  Board  was  entertained  at 
luncheon  by  Mrs.  Colt  and  Mrs.  Freeze. 

The  Board  of  Directors  met  in  the  afternoon. 

The  evening  session  was  marked  by  welcome  greet- 
ings from  the  city,  the  hostess  club  and  other  organiza- 
tions followed  by  a  response  from  Miss  Harriet  Elliott. 

[135] 


136  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  address  of  the  President  followed.  The  Hen- 
dersonville  Convention  closed  her  administration,  which 
had  been  marked  by  fine  War  Service  and  she  declared 
her  faith  in  her  co-workers  and  urged  them  to  con- 
tinue   in    their    "well-doing." 

On  Tuesday  morning  the  business  sessions  com- 
menced. The  usual  committees  were  appointed  and 
elected  and  assumed  their  customary  duties. 

Afternoon  conferences  were  dispensed  with  so  as  to 
give  the  delegates  opportunity  to  hear  the  National 
Chairmen  who  were  present.  Mrs.  Cowles  spoke  on 
Tuesday  very  interestingly.  She  called  herself  a  North 
Carolinian  because  her  husband  was  one  and  the  law 
declares  man  and  wife  one.  She  noted  the  lovely  deco- 
rations of  golden  eyed  daisies  and  azaleas,  and  said  it 
had  been  whispered  to  her  that  the  lovely  mountain 
azaleas  were  unusually  late  in  blooming  because  they 
wished  to  see  her  and  wished  her  to  see  them. 

Other  General  Federation  speakers  expressed  their 
pleasure  and  admiration  of  the  Land  of  the  Sky,  and 
their  enjoyment  of  the  hopitality  of  Mrs.  Oates  at  her 
commodious    home. 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  meeting  reached  a  climax 
when  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper  announced  the  completion  of 
the  Endowment,  $5,000  in  cash,  the  interest  of  which 
was  to  be  used  for  Federation  needs.  Her  success  brought 
rounds  of  applause.  It  was  an  interesting  coincidence 
that  during  the  accumulation  of  the  $5,000,  three  Hen- 
derson women  had  served  as  Finance  Chairman  and 
worked  on  it,  viz. :  Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper,  Mrs.  Brooks 
Parham  and  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper,  all  of  whom  rejoiced  at 


Seventeenth  Convention  137 

the  final  success.  Mrs.  Cooper  announced  that  another 
$500  Liberty  Loan  Bond  had  been  bought  making  the 
Federation  the  possessor  of  $1,500  worth  of  Govern- 
ment Bonds.     Patriotic  and  safe ! 

A  musical  program  of  unusual  interest  was  given 
in  the  First  Baptist  Church,  Miss  Cox  presiding,  which 
opened  with  an  address  by  Mrs.  Norman  Wills,  Chair- 
man of  Music.  There  was  no  award  for  music.  The 
Chairman  of  Literature  announced  the  winning  poem 
in  the  literary  contest  had  been  written  by  Mrs.  Zoe 
Kincaid  Broekman  of  Gastonia,  to  whom  the  Separk 
Cup  was  at  once  presented  by  Mrs.  Murrill.  Mrs. 
Castlebury  then  read  the  prize  poem  aloud. 

Delegates  to  the  Des  Moines  Biennial  in  1920  were 
elected. 

The  Nominating  Committee,  Miss  Adelaide  Fries; 
Mrs.  C.  E.  Piatt,  Charlotte;  Mrs.  PL  G.  Connor,  Jr., 
Wilson;  Mrs.  C.  M.  Piatt,  Asheville;  and  Mrs. 
C.  A.  Shore  reported  and  the  vote  of  the  Convention 
cast  for  the  following :  President,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook, 
Charlotte;  Second  Vice  President,  Mrs.  Sidney  P. 
Cooper,  Henderson;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs. 
Hugh  Murrill,  Charlotte ;  General  Federation  State  Sec- 
retary, Mrs.  E.  F.  Reid ;  General  Federation  Director, 
Miss  Margaret  Gibson,  Wilmington;  (Service  to  begin 
after  Mrs.  Cotten's  term  expires)  ;  Member  Board  of 
Trustees,  Mrs.   Clarence  Johnson,  Raleigh. 

Just  before  the  close  of  the  meeting  Miss  Gertrude 
Weil,  President  of  the  North  Carolina  Suffrage  League, 
entered  the  Convention  Hall,  and  the  President,  who 
seemed  to  understand,  said  "Miss  Weil  to  the  Platform, 


138  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

please."  She  obeyed,  face  smiling,  and  too  full  of 
joy  to  rescue  her  handsome  evening  wrap  which  was 
dragging  the  floor  in  her  excitement.  She  held  in  her 
hand  a  yellow  paper  which  often  means  joy  or  sorrow 
to  some  one,  and  which  all  recognized  as  a  telegram. 
She  read  the  message  aloud  "The  Suffrage  Bill  passed 
Congress,  two  votes  to  the  good."  She  was  too  full  of 
joy  to  respond  to  the  call  for  a  speech,  except  to  say 
"Victory  will  not  be  ours  until  North  Carolina  has 
ratified."  But  she  held  fast  to  the  yellow  paper,  de- 
claring she  wished  it  for  a  souvenir.  Much  applause 
greeted   her   announcement. 

An  invitation  to  hold  the  next  Convention  in  Char- 
lotte was  given  and  accepted;  the  new  officers  were 
presented,  the  gavel  turned  over  to  Mrs.  Hook,  who 
made  a  few  remarks,  the  Courtesies  Committee  reported 
and  a  most  delightful  Convention  was  declared 
adjourned. 

The  retiring  President,  Mrs.  Johnson,  was  not  per- 
mitted to  be  idle.  She  had  been  appointed  Director  of 
Child  Welfare  Division  of  the  State  Board  of  Chari- 
ties and  Public  Welfare  by  Commissioner  R.  F.  Beas- 
ley.  Her  interest  in  Welfare  Work  was  well  known 
and  cooperation  along  welfare  lines  among  clubwomen 
could  easily  be  won  by  the  capable  and  well  beloved 
Mrs.  Johnson. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

EIGHTEENTH  C0NVENTI01T 

Charlotte — 1920 
Gastonia  Council — 1919 

When  Conventions  grow  in  size  and  interest  each 
year,  and  reports  of  value  crowd  upon  each  other ;  when 
speakers  enthuse  and  splendid  resolutions  are  endorsed 
on  every  pertinent  subject;  when  lunches,  teas,  recep- 
tions, lawn  parties  and  auto  drives  fill  every  extra  min- 
ute ;  when  friendship  and  hospitality  make  the  air 
heavy  with  good  feeling ;  when  men  and  women,  organi- 
zations and  individuals  combine  in  an  effort  to  attain 
the  perfection  of  good  cheer;  how  then  can  any  his- 
torian ever  be  able  to  do  justice  to  all?  It  is  an  im- 
possible task  and  everwhelms  every  one  who  attempts 
it.  Such  has  been  the  experience  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Eederation  wherever  it  has  convened.  Every 
step  of  its  progress  has  been  sane,  and  hospitality  and 
courtesy  have  met  it  everywhere.  The  hearts  of  its 
members  beat  with  pride  when  a  retrospect  is  made. 

When  the  time  arrived  for  the  meeting  of  the  Eight- 
eenth Convention  great  progress  was  evident.  Many 
old  problems  had  been  successfully  solved.  The  En- 
dowment had  been  completed  and  invested.  The  Dis- 
tricts had  become  well  organized  and  were  doing  good 
work.  Literary  talent  and  musical  genius  had  been 
stimulated  by  the  contests  in  those  departments  and 
the  Federation  had  become  possessed  of  two  silver  cups 

[139] 


140  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

as  awards  in  those  contests.  The  dues  had  been  raised 
a  very  little  but  it  was  helping,  and  best  of  all  the 
womanhood  of  the  State  were  standing  together  for 
high  ideals  and  working  together  for  their  realization. 
Everything  seemed  to  point  to  an  encouraging  future. 

A  brilliant  Council  Meeting  had  been  held  in  Gas- 
tonia.  The  meeting  had  been  scheduled  to  take  place 
in  1918,  but  an  epidemic  of  influenza  forced  the  recall 
of  the  invitation  and  the  time  was  changed  to  November 
1919. 

The  clubwomen  of  Gastonia  were  determined  to 
prove  that  a  pleasure  deferred  is  often  increased  in 
value.  The  social  functions  were  many  and  very  en- 
joyable, but  the  Federation  had  a  President,  Mrs. 
Hook,  who  permitted  nothing  to  interfere  with  busi- 
ness, yet  she  gave  time  for  much  social  enjoyment. 

The  feature  of  the  opening  evening,  after  many  wel- 
comes, was  an  address  by  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten,  the  Hon- 
orary President.  She  spoke  on  Americanization,  of 
citizenship,  and  of  all  the  problems  that  confront  the 
modern  world.  She  declared  if  one  was  a  good  North 
Carolinian  that  was  an  admission  to  all  other  things, 
for  to  be  a  good  citizen  and  a  good  American  embodied 
the  same  principles  as  being  a  good  citizen  of  a  state. 

It  was  a  fine  meeting  well  planned  and  executed. 
Elaborate  luncheons,  spiced  with  unusually  interesting 
toasts,  were  given  each  day.  Those  toasts  were  "Our 
Guests,  The  Council,"  Mrs.  Robert  C.  Warren  at  the 
luncheon  served  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Clifford; 
"Our  President,  Mrs.  Hook,"  Mrs.  J.  F.  Thompson  at 
the  home  of  Mrs.   Clifford ;   "Our  Federations,"  Mrs. 


Eighteenth  Convention  141 

T.  M.  Brockman,  at  home  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Clifford ;  "Mrs. 
Reilley  and  the  Thrift  Campaign,"  Mrs.  W.  C.  Barrett 
at  the  home  of  Mrs.  A.  A.  McLean;  "The  Mother  of 
the  Federation,  Mrs.  R.  B.  Gotten,"  Mrs.  H.  Kenneth 
Babington  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  McLean.  Also  at  home 
of  Mrs.  McLean  a  striking  toast  to  "The  "Women  of 
Today,"  by  Mrs.  Joe  Wray  took  the  form  of  a  poem,  a  la 
Hiawatha,  and  reflected  the  faith  of  the  author  in  the 
Women  of  Today.  The  toast  to  "Our  Federations" 
(note  the  plural  number),  was  treated  so  uniquely  and 
poetically  that  a  part  of  it  is  reproduced  that  all 
clubwomen  may  enjoy  the  expression  of  a  poetic  soul, 
for  Mrs.  Brockman  had  won  the  Separk  Cup  for  three 
successive  times  for  her  poems  in  the  Federation  con- 
tests. She  said,  "To  my  mind  the  North  Carolina 
Federation  of  Clubs  is  a  noble  river,  formed  by  smaller 
but  no  less  noble  streams,  sweeping  its  vivifying  wa- 
ters from  border  to  border  of  our  State,  watering  and 
making  fertile  otherwise  arid  and  fruitless  soil,  caus- 
ing ideas  and  ideals  to  nourish  and  carpeting  the  land 
with  the  matchless  turf  of  worthwhile  accomplishment, 
sweeping  on  and  ever  on  to  lay  its  accumulated  rich- 
ness upon  the  bosom  of  the  National  Federation,  an 
ocean  of  majestic  strength  and  ceaseless  endeavor  upon 
whose  broad  bosom  ships,  propelled  by  the  fires  that 
burn  in  women's  hearts  may  ride."  It  was  a  most 
appropriate  simile. 

Where  so  much  that  was  fine  was  showered  upon 
us  it  is  difficult  to  dwell  on  any  special  thing. 

Reports  had  been  made,  plans  for  the  approaching 
Convention   at   Charlotte  were   discussed.     Much   had 


142  Histoky  of  Women's  Clubs 

been  accomplished,  much  pleasure  enjoyed,  and  when 
the  adjournment  came,  all  said  good-bye  to  Gastonia 
with   genuine    regret. 


On  the  27th  of  April,  1920,  Charlotte,  the  Queen 
City  (because  it  was  named  for  Queen  Charlotte),  was 
invaded  by  an  army  of  clubwomen,  eager  to  do  their 
duty  on  all  lines  from  believing  in  the  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  to  enjoying  the  inevitable  pleasures  of 
Federation  Conventions.  Mrs.  Hook,  the  new  Pres- 
ident, was  to  have  the  same  privilege  enjoyed  by  her 
predecessor,  Mrs.  Johnson,  which  was  that  of  holding 
her  first  Convention  in  her  home  town. 

The  Executive  Board  met  and  was  entertained  at 
luncheon  by  Mrs.  V.  J.  Guthrie,  President  of  the 
Charlotte  Woman's  Club. 

The  Trustees   and  Directors  met  in  the  afternoon. 

The  evening  session  was  held  in  Graham  High 
School.  After  the  invocation  "America"  was  sung. 
Addresses  of  welcome  followed,  by  Mayor  McNinch 
for  the  city,  by  Mrs.  Guthrie  for  the  Woman's  Club, 
and  by  Mrs.  John  Yorke  for  the  federated  clubs  of 
Charlotte. 

Mrs.  K,.  E.  Cotten  responded  and  the  Federation 
Song  was  sung.  Greetings  from  other  organizations 
were  brought  by  Mrs.  W.  O.  Spencer  for  the  D.  A.  B,., 
Mrs.  Felix  Harvey  for  the  TJ.  D.  C,  Miss  Gertrude 
Weil  for  the  Suffrage  League,  Miss  Julia  Alexander 
for   Business    and   Professional   Women,   Mrs.    T.   W. 


Eighteenth  Convention  143 

Lingle  for  Social  Service  Conference,  Mrs.  Gordon 
Finger  for  Tuberculosis  Association. 

After  the  shower  of  greetings  Mrs.  Hook  delivered 
her  address. 

A  reception  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Current 
Topics  Club,  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley  closed 
the  evening. 

Wednesday  morning  the  session  was  held  in  the 
Masonic  Temple,  the  President,  Mrs.  Hook,  in  the 
chair. 

The  Rules  and  Regulations  of  preceding  years  were 
adopted,  and  the  usual  committees  formed. 

Miss  Fries  reported  a  recommendation  from  the 
Trustees  that  the  Federation  establish  a  scholarship 
in  the  Social  Service  School  at  the  State  University, 
and  that  $200  be  raised  by  the  Convention  for  that 
purpose.  This  was  darried  and  amount  promptly 
subscribed. 

Mrs.  Hook  announced  that  Charlotte  Hawkins 
Brown  of  the  Sedalia  School  would  appear  on  the  after- 
noon program  to  talk  on  the  negro  problem. 

Mrs.  J.  L.  Graham,  Chairman  of  Art  and  Crafts,  an- 
nounced an  exhibition  of  bed  spreads  and  other  home 
made  articles — the  home  craft  of  mountain  women  from 
North  Carolina  material — was  in  a  room  of  the  Masonic 
Temple  and  requested  all  delegates  to  inspect  it.  Much 
of  that  exhibit  was  sold  and  orders  taken  for  more. 

Many  reports  filled  the  afternoon  session.  Char- 
lotte Hawkins  Brown  made  an  appeal  for  cooperation 
between  white  women  and  negro  women  interested  in 
Social  Welfare,   and   asked   for   the  help   of  the  Fed- 


144  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

eration  in  securing  an  industrial  school  for  colored 
girls  similar  to  the  one  at  Samarcand  for  white  girls. 
A  resolution  was  passed  endorsing  such  a  school  for 
colored   girls. 

The  feature  of  Wednesday  evening  was  the  presenta- 
tion of  a  club  comedy  called  "Ourselves  and  Others" 
written  by  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley,  and  rendered  by 
Charlotte  clubwomen.  It  was  a  clever  and  entertaining 
burlesque  on  a  Federation  Convention,  full  of  wit  and 
clever  "hits"  and  made  a  delightful  recreation  from  the 
routine  of  business  discussions. 

Thursday  morning  found  the  delegates  ready  for 
work.  The  Chairman  of  Literature  reported  that  73 
entries  from  15  clubs  had  made  the  poetry  contest  lively 
and  interesting.  The  poems  were  of  unusual  merit  and 
testified  to  the  hidden  ability  just  emerging  into  light 
among  the  clubs.  The  final  judgment  passed  by  the 
Department  of  English  at  the  University  and  awarded 
first  prize  to  "The  Still  Born,"  an  exquisite  gem,  by 
Mrs.  Zoe  Kincaid  Broekman  of  Gastonia,  to  whom  the 
Separk  Cup  was  presented.  Having  won  it  twice  in 
succession,  she  became  the  owner  of  the  cup  in  com- 
pliance with  Mr.  Separk's  wish.  Every  time  a  person 
wins  the  cup  twice  in  succession,  the  winner  becomes 
permanent  possessor,  and  Mr.  Separk  on  his  own  offer, 
replaces  the  cup. 

Thirty-one  new  clubs  were  reported  and  introduced. 
ISTew  clubs  were  no  longer  novelties,  but  were  gladly 
welcomed. 

The  districts  had  been  permanently  placed  under  the 
supervision  of  the  Second  Vice  President,  who  was  to  be 


Eighteenth  Convention  145 

known  as  Chairman  of  Districts,  while  the  woman  who 
managed  each  District  was  to  be  known  as  District 
President. 

Mrs.  Cooper  made  her  report  as  District  Chairman, 
whereupon  Mrs.  Hook  requested  Mrs.  Cooper  to  pre- 
side while  the  reports  of  District  Presidents  were  read. 
This  has  become  a  regular  custom.  Eight  districts 
reported.  Dr.  McGeachy  made  an  address  on  the 
needs  of  Samarcaud  Manor.  Luncheon  followed  at  the 
Country  Club,  by  the  D.  A.  R. 

The  afternoon  session  was  crowded  with  inevitable 
reports  which  represented  the  inner  life  of  the  Fed- 
eration and  were  of  interest  to  all. 

Miss  Gibson  of  Wilmington  extended  an  invitation 
from  Sorosis  to  the  Federation  to  meet  in  that  city 
the  next  year.  The  invitation  was  accepted.  The 
Convention  then  adjourned  to  attend  a  Garden  Party 
given  by  the  U.  D.  C.  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  A.  L.  Smith. 

Time  was  insufficient  for  the  Charlotte  people  to 
include  all  they  desired  to  do  for  the  Federation,  so 
there  were  necessarily  several  "side  lines"  pursued  out 
of  the  regular  sessions.  One  was  a  delightful  buffet 
supper  given  by  Mrs.  Hook  at  which  all  the  women 
had  the  pleasure  of  shaking  hands  with  her  husband, 
and  of  seeing  her  mother  with  all  the  charming  grace 
of  old  Southern  hospitality,  pouring  tea  and  coffee, 
while  Rosalie  Hook  and  her  cousin,  Ida  Patterson, 
served  the  guests. 

It  was  a  delightful  affair  and  could  have  lasted  all 
the  evening  but  that  the  evening  session  was  calling  to 
the  women. 
10 


146  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

Another  "side  line"  unofficial  but  most  delightful 
was  a  dinner,  planned  and  given  by  the  Press  Com- 
mittee at  the  Rotary  Club.  Many  prominent  men  and 
women  attended,  no  one  suspecting  it  was  more  than 
another  contribution  to  their  pleasure.  The  secret  came 
out  when  Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson,  in  behalf  of  Mrs. 
Gordon  Finger,  presented  to  the  Literature  Depart- 
ment of  the  Federation  a  silver  loving  cup,  in  memory 
of  her  friend  and  press  associate  in  bygone  days,  Mr. 
Joseph  P.  Caldwell,  so  long  the  editor  of  the  Charlotte 
Observer.  Mrs.  Patterson's  words  of  presentation  were 
a  suitable  tribute.  The  cup  was  gracefully  accepted 
by  Mrs.  A.  Basye  of  Wilson,  representing  the  Litera- 
ture Department.  The  dinner  was  given  in  the  main 
dining-room  of  the  Manufacturers  Club  and  was  one 
of  the  most  delightful  functions  at  that  meeting.  Among 
the  guests  was  Mrs.  T.  G.  Winter  of  Minnesota,  then 
Second  Vice  President  of  the  General  Federation  and 
later  its  most  brilliant  President.  The  presentation  of 
the  cup  by  Mrs.  Patterson  and  a  toast  to  Mrs.  Gotten 
by  Miss  Margaret  Gibson  were  the  main  features  of 
the  dinner.  Mrs.  Finger  was  mistress  of  ceremonies 
and  by  her  own  cleverness  loosed  the  tongues  of  many 
guests  who  were  not  prepared  for  responses.  She  in- 
sisted on  calling  the  table,  around  which  the  guests  were 
seated,,  her  "Ouija  Board"  and  called  on  many  guests 
as  dwellers  in  the  Spirit  Land,  and  many  clever  re- 
sponses were  made. 

The  next  session  of  the  Convention  was  held  in  the 
High  School  Auditorium,  Mrs.  Hook  presiding.  The 
Credentials  Committee  reported  202  legal  voters  pres- 


Eighteenth  Convention  147 

ent.  It  represented  the  largest  registration  in  the 
history  of  the  Federation,  up  to  that  time. 

Only  three  officers  had  to  be  elected,  the  terms  of 
the  others  not  having  expired. 

The  Nominating  Committee,  composed  of  Mrs.  B.  H. 
Griffin,  Raleigh,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Alderman,  Henderson,  Mrs. 
Duke  Hay,  Black  Mountain,  and  Mrs.  Gold  of  Ellen- 
boro  then  reported:  First  Vice  President,  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Pless,  Marion;  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs.  T.  Lenoir 
Gwynn,  Waynesville;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  E.  M.  Land, 
Goldsboro.  Nominations  from  the  floor  brought  out 
for  First  Vice  President,  Mrs.  E.  R.  Michaux;  Record- 
ing Secretary,  Mrs.  Henry  White,  High  Point. 

On  motion  the  Secretary  was  instructed  to  cast  the 
ballot  for  Mrs.  Land  as  Treasurer,  while  the  vote  for 
the  other  officers  was  taken.  The  result  was:  Mrs. 
E.  R.  Michaux,  First  Vice  President;  Mrs.  T.  Lenoir 
Gwynn,   Recording   Secretary. 

The  Loan  Fund  was  reported  growing  and  useful. 

The  final  session  was  held  in  the  Auditorium  of 
the  High  School  with  Mrs.  Hook  in  the  chair. 

The  feature  of  the  evening  was  a  magnificent  address 
by  Mrs.  Thomas  J.  Winter  of  Minneapolis  on  Citizen- 
ship. Mrs.  Winter  was  the  guest  of  the  Convention. 
Miss  Weil  reported  the  Resolutions  and  Miss  Margaret 
Gibson  read  the  report  on  Courtesies. 

A  music  recital,  the  courtesy  of  the  Charlotte  Sorosis, 
was  given  by  the  violinist,  Israel  Dormans,  assisted 
by  Miss  Ruth  Chapman,  soprano,  and  Dr.  J.  B.  ISTin- 
niss,  accompanist,  which  closed  the  evening  session,  and 
the  Eighteenth   Convention  was   adjourned. 


CHAPTEE  XXII 

NINETEENTH   CONVENTION 

Wrightsville  Beach — 1921 
Henderson  Council — 1920 

The  Council  met  in  Henderson,  November  3,  4  and 
5,  1920,  and  was  delightfully  entertained  by  that  hos- 
pitable town.  In  addition  to  the  discussions  and  con- 
ferences of  Federation  activities,  the  meeting  was  fea- 
tured by  most  interesting  speeches,  notably  the  one  on 
"Recreation,"  by  Mr.  E.  C.  Lindeman  of  the  North 
Carolina  College  for  Women,  and  one  on  "  A  Sum- 
mer in  England,"  by  Miss  Harriet  Elliott,  of  the 
same  college. 

Mrs.  Hook,  President,  presided  over  all  the  business 
sessions  which  were  interspersed  with  delightful  social 
events. 

One  of  the  chief  matters  to  be  discussed  was  the  work 
of  the  Legislative  Council  in  the  approaching  1921  ses- 
sion of  the  Legislature.  The  Federation  was  repre- 
sented in  this  Council  by  its  President,  Mrs.  Hook, 
the  Chairman  of  Legislation,  Mrs.  Jerman,  and  two 
members  at  large.  But  the  formation  of  the  Council 
was  largely  due  to  the  zeal  of  Mrs.  Hook,  and  the 
Federation  took  the  initiative  in  promoting  it. 

It  was  at  the  Convention  in  Hendersonville  that  the 
Federation  voted  to  undertake  to  organize  the  State 
Legislative  Council  of  Women.  The  object  of  the 
Council  was  to  coordinate  the  Legislative  work  of  va- 
rious   Women's    Organizations    throughout    the    State. 

[148] 


Nineteenth  Convention  149 

At  the  Council  Meeting  in  Henderson,  October  1920, 
representatives  of  various  organizations  were  invited 
to  meet.  The  following  organizations  sent  represen- 
tatives: The  North  Carolina  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs,  League  of  Women  Voters,  Business  and  Profes- 
sional Women's  Clubs,  and  the  W.  C.  T.  IT. 

It  was  agreed  by  all  present  that  we  take  immediate 
steps  to  form  the  organization  and  a  Committee  was 
appointed  to  bring  in  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws, 
also  to  look  toward  the  employment  of  a  whole-time 
Executive  Secretary  and  to  secure  offices  in  Raleigh  in 
which  to  work  during  the  session  of  the  Legislature 
1921.  Preliminary  meetings  were  held  and  Mrs.  Chas. 
C.  Hook  was  elected  the  first  President  of  the  Council. 
Only  measures  endorsed  by  all  organizations  were 
undertaken.  It  was  also  agreed  that  measures  being 
cared  for  by  other  organizations  should  not  be  under- 
taken by  the  Council.  Miss  Lillian  Thompson  of 
Raleigh  was  First  Executive  Secretary  and  much  of 
the  success  of  the  work  of  the  Council  was  due  to  her 
tact,  pleasing  personality  and  efficiency.  Since  this 
time  the  State  Parent-Teacher-Association,  North 
Carolina  Nurses  Association,  Woman's  Auxiliary  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  and  the  Young  Woman's  Chris- 
tian Association  as  cooperating  members  have  come 
into  the  Council,  and  this  organization  is  meeting  in  a 
large  measure  the  legislative  needs  of  women. 

The  closing  evening  of  the  Henderson  Council,  "A 
Harvest  Festival,"  was  presented  by  the  Recreation  De- 
partment of  the  Women's  Club  of  Henderson,  followed 


150  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

by  "Midnight  Frolics,"  at  the  lovely  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper. 

To  hold  a  convention  at  the  seashore  was  a  lure  to 
clubwomen  and  therefore  a  large  number  gathered  at 
the  Oceanic  Hotel,  on  Wrightsville  Beach,  June  7,  1921, 
to  attend  the  Nineteenth  Convention  of  the  North 
Carolina  Federation. 

The  seashore  has  a  lure  all  its  own.  The  roar  of  the 
surf,  the  swish  of  the  waves,  the  grandeur  of  the  ocean, 
the  invigorating  salt  breeze,  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the 
tides,  all  add  to  its  attractions. 

The  women  were  thoroughly  pleased  with  the  new 
plan  of  rooming  and  meeting  under  the  same  roof.  The 
kindness  and  accommodations  of  hotels  made  it  an 
ideal  arrangement  and  a  dip  in  the  ocean  was  an  added 
privilege  at  "Wrightsville  Beach.  From  the  artistic 
little  sea  shells,  pendants  to  the  badges,  up  to  the  action 
of  the  Convention,  all  was  good  and  complete. 

The  voice  of  the  ocean  breathed  an  unusual  welcome, 
old  friends  met  again,  new  friends  gave  glad  hand- 
clasps, and  the  success  of  the  meeting  seemed  assured. 

The  first  session  convened  in  the  Harbor  Island  Audi- 
torium on  Tuesday  evening,  June  7,  the  President, 
Mrs.  Hook,  in  the  chair.  The  usual  shower  of  wel- 
comes followed,  from  the  city,  from  Sorosis,  from 
Wrightsville  Beach,  from  the  Colonial  Dames,  the  War 
Mothers,  the  U.  D.  C,  the  Forestry  Association,  the 
League  of  Women  Voters,  the  Business  and  Profes- 
sional Woman's  League,  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  several  State 
Federations,  the  State  Nurses  Association,  and  from 
His  Excellency,  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina.  So 
many  kind  words  of  greeting  made  failure  impossible. 


Nineteenth  Convention  151 

Mrs.  Hook  delivered  her  address,  which  was  full  of 
inspiration  and  aspiration.  This  was  followed  by  a 
reception  at  the  Oceanic  Hotel,  the  courtesy  of  the 
Wilmington  Sorosis. 

The  Assembly  Room  of  the  Oceanic  Hotel  witnessed 
the  Convention  in  session  on  Wednesday  morning,  Mrs. 
Hook  in  the  chair.  Instead  of  the  usual  invocation, 
the  Lord's  Prayer  was  recited  in  unison.  Then  the 
Federation  Song  was  sung,  after  which  the  necessary 
committees  were  named  and  the  routine  arranged.  A 
nominating  committee  was  duly  elected  and  tellers  ap- 
pointed to  serve  through  the  Convention.  The  Cre- 
dentials Chairman  reported  204  delegates  registered 
and  many  "old-timers"  thought  of  the  years  gone  by 
when  fifty  delegates  was  thought  a  big  Convention. 

The  reports  began  with  the  officers  and  Miss  Gibson 
made  a  talk  on  the  approaching  Biennial  in  Chau- 
tauqua, N".  T.  Nominations  for  delegates  to  that  meet- 
ing were  made  and  turned  over  to  the  tellers  to  be 
counted. 

Mrs.  Herbert  Bluethenthal  of  Wilmington  presented 
the  story  of  the  "Pageant  of  the  Cape  Fear,"  which  was 
to  be  presented  that  evening,  and  said  complimentary 
tickets  would  be  presented  to  the  clubwomen  as  they 
left  the  hall  at  the  close  of  the  meeting. 

Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson  gave  the  report  from  the 
Trustees  and  recommended  that  the  Social  Service 
Scholarship  at  the  University  started  at  the  Charlotte 
Convention  be  continued.  It  was  then  serving  a  North 
Carolina  girl. 


152  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Mrs.  Cotten  moved  that  the  scholarship  be  made 
permanent  and  the  necessary  money  taken  from  the 
treasury.  Mrs.  R.  W.  Hicks  moved  that  two  scholar- 
ships be  established.  Mrs.  Cotten  then  withdrew  her 
motion  for  taking  the  money  from  the  treasury. 

Motion  was  then  amended  and  carried,  that  money 
for  one  scholarship  be  taken  from  the  treasury  and  the 
other  made  up  by  voluntary  club  subscriptions.  Sub- 
scriptions handed  to  Mrs.  Hicks  amounted  to  $104. 

Mrs.  A.  H.  Powell,  Chairman  of  Finance,  was  absent 
but  her  report  was  read  by  Mrs.  W.  T.  Carter  of 
Winston-Salem.  She  also  read  a  letter  from  Mrs. 
Powell  urging  that  the  Endowment  be  increased.  Mrs. 
Hook  made  a  special  plea  in  behalf  of  an  increased 
Endowment.  Mrs.  Carter  moved  that  the  Endowment 
be  increased  from  $5,000  to  $10,000,  and  $1,200  was 
promptly  pledged  toward  the  desired  $10,000. 

During  the  afternoon  session  reports  were  read  and 
Mr.  Frank  McNinch  made  an  inspiring  address  on 
Community  Service.  Dr.  Hamilton  of  Wilmington 
spoke  on  "Health  Conditions  Relative  to  the  Welfare 
of  Mother  and  Child."  The  meeting  adjourned  to  at- 
tend a  Garden  Party  at  the  beautiful  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Walter  Parsley  on  Masonboro  Sound,  where  sup- 
per was  served,  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Colonial 
Dames  and  the  U.  D.  C.  Automobiles  met  the  delegates 
at  Wrightsville  and  conveyed  the  guests  through  beauti- 
ful wildwoods  to  the  home  of  the  Parsleys,  and  later  took 
them  on  to  Wilmington  to  attend  the  "Pageant  of  the 
Cape  Fear."    It  was  rendered  on  the  banks  of  the  Cape 


Nineteenth  Convention  153 

Fear,  in  the  rear  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  James  Sprunt. 
Many  of  the  actors  in  the  pageant  were  lineal  descend- 
ants of  the  people  who  had  made  the  history  portrayed 
by  the  pageant.  It  was  a  very  beautiful  and  successful 
entertainment.  After  the  pageant  complimentary  street 
cars  took  the  delegates  back  to  the  beach  for  restful 
slumber  near  the  continuous  lullaby  of  the  Atlantic 
Ocean. 

Thursday  morning  found  the  delegates  alert  for 
business.  All  the  departments  were  clamoring  for 
greater  activity  along  their  respective  lines.  The  Art 
Chairman  begged  for  more  interest  in  Art ;  Music 
begged  for  better  Music;  Literature  for  more  libraries 
and  interest  in  books;  Education  clamored  for  better 
schools,  et  cetera  ad  infinitum,  all  willing  to  work  for  the 
desired  improvement.  Mrs.  Sidney  Cooper  gave  her  re- 
port as  District  Chairman  and  presided  over  the  meet- 
ing, while  the  District  Presidents  told  of  their  work. 
Mrs.  Cooper  presented  to  the  Federation  a  handsome 
gavel  which  she  desired  given  each  year  to  the  District 
bringing  in  the  largest  number  of  new  clubs  during 
the  year.  The  gavel  was  then  presented  to  Mrs. 
Thomas  O'Berry  of  District  No.  8,  who  had  won  it 
that  year.  The  Loan  Fund  was  presented  and  received 
a  generous  addition  to  its  total. 

Mrs.  Hutt  made  a  talk  which  was  a  tribute  to  the 
recently  deceased  Mrs.  L.  B.  McBrayer,  who  had  served 
the  Federation  for  a  short  time  as  Chairman  of  Health. 

A  motion  was  made  and  carried  that  a  letter  of  sym- 
pathy be  sent  from  the  Federation  to  the  family  of  Mrs. 
McBrayer.     A  discussion  of  a  memorial  to  Mrs.  Mc- 


154  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

■*■ 
Brayer  followed.     It  was  decided  to  maintain  a  free 

bed  at  the  State  Tuberculosis  Sanatorium  in  her  mem- 
ory. Mrs.  E.  F.  Reid  was  appointed  Chairman  of  that 
memorial. 

The  subject  of  box  luncheons  at  District  Meetings 
was  discussed  and  approved,  as  solving  the  question  of 
feeding  a  large  crowd  economically  and  with  a  mini- 
mum of  labor.  The  clubs,  however,  were  left  free  to 
decide  the  question  for  themselves. 

Mrs.  Reilley  reported  for  the  Nominating  Committee 
as  follows :  President,  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper,  Henderson ; 
Second  Vice  President,  Mrs.  John  Gilmer,  Winston- 
Salem;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs.  Brooks  Parham, 
Henderson;  Auditor,  Mrs.  W.  B.  Ramsey;  General 
Federation  Director,  Mrs.  Palmer  Jerman. 

The  Secretary  was  instructed  to  cast  the  ballot  for 
President,  Second  Vice  President,  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary and  Auditor. 

Miss  Margaret  Gibson,  Director,  was  nominated  from 
the  floor  for  reelection  as  Director. 

Vote  by  ballot  was  taken  for  this  office.  Miss  Gibson 
was  reelected.  Mrs.  Palmer  Jerman  moved  that  this 
election  be  made  unanimous,  which  motion  was  favor- 
ably acted  upon. 

Luncheon  followed  at  the  Carolina  Yacht  Club, 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  Rotary  Club,  Kiwanis  Club, 
and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

On  Thursday  evening  the  Federation  again  convened 
in  Harbor  Island  Auditorium,  Mrs.  Hook  in  the 
chair.  After  some  reports,  Mrs.  Basye,  Chairman  of 
Literature,  gave  her  report.     She  announced  that  the 


Nineteenth  Convention  155 

Separk  Cup  had  been  awarded  to  Mrs.  Hannah  Ives 
of  New  Bern.  In  the  absence  of  Mrs.  Ives,  Mrs.  Nixon 
of  New  Bern  received  the  cup  and  read  the  successful 
poem,  which  was  called  "Small  Town  Memories." 

In  the  absence  of  Mrs.  Gordon  Finger,  the  donor  of 
the  Joseph  Caldwell  Cup,  that  cup  was  presented  to 
Miss  Susie  Whitehead  of  Salisbury  Travelers  Club  for 
the  best  short  story. 

Mrs.  Stikeleather,  Chairman  of  Music,  announced 
Miss  Pearl  Little  of  Hickory,  winner  of  the  Duncan 
Cup.  In  the  absence  of  Miss  Little,  Mrs.  W.  B.  Ram- 
say of  Hickory  was  requested  to  deliver  the  cup. 

By  reason  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour  it  was  moved 
to  adjourn  until  the  next  morning  so  the  delegates  could 
attend  a  dance  at  Lumina  given  in  their  honor  by  the 
Tidewater  Power  Company. 

The  final  session  convened  in  the  Assembly  Room 
of  the  Oceanic  Hotel,  the  President  in  the  chair. 

Mrs.  Hook  presented  the  new  officers,  who  spoke 
briefly.  The  report  of  the  Resolutions  Committee  was 
read  and  was  unusually  exciting.  It  is  generally  con- 
ceded that  the  Resolutions  adopted  at  each  successive 
convention  cover  the  needs  of  the  whole  world,  but 
those  adopted  at  Wrightsville  were  especially  interesting. 

Women  are  accustomed  to  "asking"  for  things,  and 
as  a  rule  they  keep  on  "asking"  until  they  get  what 
they  seek.  When  clubwomen  pass  resolutions  they 
either  "ask"  for  something  or  endorse  something  they 
think  should  be  done.  In  one  of  the  Wrightsville  reso- 
lutions they  asked  for  the  Australian  Ballot,  and  they 
will  continue  "asking"  for  it  until  it  comes. 


156  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Mr.  R.  F.  Beasley,  Commissioner  of  Public  Welfare, 
had  resigned,  and  one  resolution  "asked"  the  State 
Board  of  Charities  and  Public  Welfare  to  elect  Mrs. 
Clarence  Johnson  to  fill  the  vacancy.  They  knew  their 
woman,  their  request  was  granted,  and  the  State  has 
been  benefited  by  her   services. 

They  asked  for  improved  rules  and  conditions  at 
the  Caswell  Training  School,  and  for  a  woman  phy- 
sician to  be  placed  in  charge  of  woman  patients  in  all 
State  Institutions. 

Possibly  the  most  notable  and  far  reaching  was  the 
resolution  offered  by  Miss  Gertrude  Weil,  favoring 
disarmament  among  the  nations  by  agreement,  etc. 
The  resolutions  were  all  adopted  with  enthusiasm. 

Mrs.  McClamrock,  in  behalf  of  the  Federated  Clubs 
of  Greensboro,  invited  the  Federation  to  hold  its  next 
Convention  in  that  city.     The  invitation  was  accepted. 

The  Courtesies  Committee  then  reported,  the  gavel 
was  given  to  Mrs.  Cooper  and  the  Convention  was 
adjourned. 

It  was  at  the  Session  of  the  State  Legislature  in 
1921,  that  the  Legislative  Council  of  Women  presented 
a  bill  asking  for  State  Censorship  of  Moving  Pictures. 
Mrs.  Henry  Perry  of  Henderson  led  the  forces  of  the 
State  Federation  in  this  movement.  It  had  the  en- 
dorsement of  all  State  organizations,  all  churches, 
women's  organizations  and  many  civic  bodies,  and  the 
sentiment  at  the  time  was  highly  crystallized  toward  a 
bill  for  ceDsorship.  Had  the  measure  carried,  success 
might  have  come  at  the  same  time  to  two  other  states. 
There  were  thirty  states  at  this  time  trying  for  cen- 
sorship   bills    in    one   form   or   another.      One    of   the 


Nineteenth  Convention  157 

State  papers  at  the  beginning  of  the  Session  of  the 
Legislature  spoke  in  a  very  frivolous  vein  of  the  bill, 
making  the  comment  that  it  was  not  likely  to 
carry  much  weight.  The  reporter  and  many  others 
were  compelled  to  change  their  minds  before  the  Legis- 
lature was  over  for  it  has  been  stated  by  those  in  close 
touch  with  the  Legislature  in  times  gone  by  that  few 
measures  have  created  more  widespread  interest.  The 
moving  picture  people,  themselves,  feeling  the  bill  of 
such  importance,  sent  to  Raleigh  a  powerful  lobby. 
This  lobby  was  led  by  Rev.  Thomas  Dixon,  one  of  North 
Carolina's  most  brilliant  writers  and  motion  picture 
producers.  Mr.  Dixon  spoke  before  the  Legislature 
for  the  moving  picture  people,  bringing  into  play  his 
brilliant  wit  and  fine  satire.  The  Censorship  Bill  was 
championed  by  Hon.  Isaac  Meekins,  and  in  his  defense 
of  the  bill  he  seemed  to  meet  every  argument  of  Mr. 
Dixon's  with  a  keener  wit  and  a  more  biting  satire. 
The  bill  was  lost  and  since  that  time  the  motion  picture 
people  have  so  successfully  combatted  the  idea  of  cen- 
sorship that  it  is  probable  that  it  may  never  be  taken 
to  the  Legislature  in  the  same  form  again.  However, 
the  moving  picture  industry  does  not  yet  satisfy  all 
those  who  at  one  time  felt  that  censorship  was  advisable. 
"The  producers'  only  test  seems  to  be  the  cash  box. 
Some  day  there  will  be  better  movies  for  better  people. 
Edwin  Booth  in  Shakespeare's  plays  and  the  Bowery 
Melodrama  drew  big  houses  in  New  York  at  the  same 
time,  but  not  the  same  people.  Meanwhile  there  are 
things  that  the  average  movie  audience  tolerates  be- 
cause it  cannot  help  it,  not  because  it  is  wild  about 
them." 


CHAPTEE  XXIII 

TWENTIETH  CONVENTION 

Geeensboro — 1922 
Rocky  Mount   Council — 1921 

When  the  Council  of  the  Federation  met  in  the  pro- 
gressive town  of  Rocky  Mount  in  November,  1921,  it 
was  greeted  with  the  usual  shower  of  welcomes,  from 
both  federated  and  non-federated  clubs.  It  was  a 
demonstration  of  a  nonpartisan  spirit  among  women 
and  a  desire  for  the  union  of  all  for  the  good  of  all. 

The  ambition  of  Rocky  Mount  is  limited  only  by 
the  impossible,  and  its  clubwomen  had  prepared  well 
for  the  coming  of  the  Council.  After  the  invocation 
and  the  welcomes  were  concluded  and  acknowledged, 
a  cantata  was  presented. 

The  President  of  the  Federation,  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper, 
was  then  introduced  to  the  audience,  after  which  Dr. 
E.  C.  Brooks  of  Raleigh  made  an  address  on  "Educa- 
tion for  Citizenship." 

After  some  announcements  the  meeting  adjourned 
for  the  delegates  to  attend  a  brilliant  reception  at  the 
home  of  Mrs.  J.  C.  Braswell,  President  of  the  hostess 
club. 

The  business  sessions  began  promptly  the  next  morn- 
ing, with  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper  presiding. 

The  Executive  Board,  the  Trustees  and  Directors 
all  met,  necessary  committees  were  provided  and  then 
luncheon  was  served  in  the  Club  Cafeteria,  courtesy  of 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Kiwanis  Club. 

[158] 


Twentieth  Convention  159 

The  afternoon  was  filled  with  reports  from  various 
departments,  including  a  report  from  the  Southeastern 
Council  which  had  met  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  and  which 
the  North  Carolina  Federation  had  joined,  and  of 
which  Mrs.  Murrill  had  heen  made  Vice  President. 
The  Federation  Song  was  sung,  and  was  followed  by 
adjournment. 

The  evening  session  was  to  be  held  in  Nashville,  pre- 
ceded by  a  Buffet  Supper  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  L.  T. 
Vaughan.  Automobiles,  promptly  at  5 :30  p.m.,  con- 
veyed the  delegates  to  Nashville,  where  another  shower 
of  welcomes  met  them.  After  those  addresses  there  was 
no  longer  any  doubt  as  to  why  Nashville  was  so  neat 
and  progressive,  for  the  women  had  learned  that  the 
Aldermen  of  the  town  had  a  committee  of  women  as 
coadjutors,  and  of  course  Nashville  was  clean  and  at- 
tractive, for  women  improve  everything  they  touch. 
Mrs.  John  Gilmer  spoke  for  the  Federation.  Mrs. 
Eugene  Reilley  and  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper  gave  echoes  from 
the  General  Federation  Biennial,  which  they  had  at- 
tended. An  address  followed  by  Mrs.  B.  R.  Cotten,  on 
"What  Every  Woman  Should  Know."  It  was  an  edu- 
cational explanation  of  the  Australian  Ballot,  and  how 
it  would  affect  men  and  women  in  using  their 
citizenship. 

Mrs.  Jerman  reported  the  status  of  legislation 
and  that  the  Legislative  Council  had  been  invited  to 
attend  the  meeting  at  Rocky  Mount. 

While  that  joint  meeting,  called  Legislative  Council, 
was  going  on,  presided  over  by  Miss  Elsie  Riddick,  a 
conference   of   District    Presidents   was   meeting,    with 


160  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Mrs.  John  Gilmer,  Chairman  of  Districts,  presiding. 
Miss  Kelly  made  an  address  on  Community  Coopera- 
tion, which  she  had  found  much  needed  in  her  work 
against  adult  illiteracy. 

Luncheon  was  served  in  the  Woman's  Club  cafeteria, 
after  which  the  women  departed  for  their  homes. 


Chicago  boasts  that  no  train  ever  passes  through  that 
city  because  the  traveling  public  always  must  change 
trains  there  for  all  points  of  the  compass.  Perhaps 
that  explains  why  Greensboro  is  called  the  Gate  City, 
because  it  is  the  Gate  to  Everywhere,  and  through 
those  gates  from  Everywhere  in  North  Carolina,  club- 
women gathered  on  May  2,  1922,  to  hold  the  twentieth 
Convention  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs,  in  response  to  an  invitation  from  the 
Greensboro  City  Federation  of  Clubs.  Fourteen  years 
had  elapsed  since  Greensboro  had  entertained  the  Fed- 
eration. The  city  had  grown  large  and  prosperous. 
So  had  the  North  Carolina  Federation  and  they  were 
each  anxious  to  renew  and  strengthen  the  old  ties. 
When  the  Federation  was  organized  in  1902,  Greens- 
boro had  sent  delegates  from  five  clubs,  and  now  a  City 
Federation  of  ten  clubs  was  ready  to  welcome  the 
clubwomen. 

The  new  O.  Henry  Hotel  was  named  as  headquarters. 
The  delegates  had  grown  fond  of  "being  together,  in  all 
sorts  of  weather"  under  the  same  roof,  so  the  O.  Henry 
was  crowded.    Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson  had  been  elected 


Twentieth  Convention  161 

Commissioner  of  Public  Welfare  and  was  making  a 
name  for  herself  as  an  efficient  welfare  worker.  Sev- 
eral other  clubwomen  were  serving  the  State,  as 
well  as  the  Federation  and  were  accomplishing  much 
good. 

The  Executive  Board  met  at  the  O.  Henry  and  was 
entertained  at  the  Club  House,  Mrs.  McClamrock, 
President  of  the  "Woman's  Club,  as  hostess.  The  Trus- 
tees and  Board  of  Directors  met  in  the  afternoon,  at 
the  Club  House.  Club  Houses  were  increasing  but 
not  yet  plentiful,  and  the  beautiful  home  of  the  Greens- 
boro Woman's  Club  stimulated  every  visitor  to  renewed 
activity  in  the  effort  to  build  a  home  for  her  own  club. 

The  Smith  Memorial  Building  was  crowded  for  the 
opening  exercises.  An  invocation  by  Mrs.  Lucy  Robert- 
son, President  Emeritus  of  Greensboro  College  for 
Women,  was  followed  by  an  address  of  welcome  by 
Miss  Harriet  Elliott  representing  the  Greensboro  City 
Federation  of  Clubs.  Mrs.  John  Gilmer,  Second  Vice 
President,  responded  for  the  Federation,  followed  by 
the  singing  of  "Carolina." 

Greetings  were  given  from  South  Carolina. 

The  President's  address  was  a  clarion  call  for  a  bet- 
ter North  Carolina,  to  which  women  could  and  should 
lead  the  way.  It  was  an  inspiring  address,  and  awoke 
a  response  in  the  heart  of  every  clubwoman. 

The  meeting  adjourned  to  attend  a  reception  at  the 
O.  Henry  Hotel,  courtesy  of  Women's  Clubs  of 
Greensboro. 

The  business  sessions  began  Wednesday  morning  in 
the  ball  room  of  the  hotel,  the  President  in  the  chair. 
11 


162  History  of  Women's  Cltjbs 

Necessary  committees  were  named,  the  officers  reported, 
then  Mrs.  Johnson  spoke  of  the  Social  Service  Scholar- 
ship at  Chapel  Hill.  More  than  $300  was  pledged  to 
continue  the  scholarship,  following  the  injunction,  "be 
not  weary  in  well  doing." 

The  Nominating  Committee  was  elected  as  follows : 
Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson,  Raleigh,  Chairman;  Mrs.  C.  C. 
Hook,  Charlotte;  Miss  Margaret  L.  Gibson,  Wilming- 
ton ;  Mrs.  W.  B.  Ramsay,  Hickory ;  Miss  Mary  DeVane, 
Goldsboro. 

The  Credentials  Chairman  reported  242  delegates 
registered.  A  motion  to  extend  the  privilege  of  the  vote 
to  District  Presidents  who  were  not  representing  indi- 
vidual clubs,  was  carried.  The  action  added  six  to  the 
voting  power. 

In  the  absence  of  Mrs.  B.  H.  Griffin,  Chairman  of 
Membership,  Mrs.  Pless  of  Marion  reported  45  new 
clubs,  the  largest  number  ever  admitted  in  one  year. 
Great  applause  followed.  Mrs.  Cooper  cordially  wel- 
comed the  new  clubs. 

The  Loan  Fund  was  reported.  In  response  to  the 
appeal  by  Mrs.  Hook  pledges  for  $800  were  made,  and 
a  loan  of  $100  without  interest  was  accepted. 

Luncheon  was  served  in  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Hut 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

The  afternoon  session  was  held  in  the  hotel  ball 
room.  Miss  Elliot  announced  that  the  rain  would  not 
interfere  with  the  drive  to  Guilford  College,  to  which 
place  all  were  driven  for  a  pleasant  afternoon.  Tea 
was  served  at  the  college  by  the  Community  Club,  after 
which  all  returned  to  Greensboro. 


Twentieth  Convention  163 

Through  the  generosity  of  Mrs.  Cooper,  the  Presi- 
dent, the  evening  session  witnessed  an  unique  scene. 
Mrs.  Bonnin,  a  full-blooded  Sioux  Indian  Princess 
from  Dakota,  a  direct  descendant  of  Sitting  Bull,  was 
present  in  her  native  Indian  costume.  She  made  an 
interesting  address  on  the  subject,  "Americanize  the 
First  Americans."  It  was  a  plea  for  the  ballot  to  he 
given  to  the  Indians,  as  it  had  been  given  to  Negroes, 
aliens,  and  women,  only  the  "first  Americans"  being 
without  the  privilege  of  a  vote. 

Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson  moved  that  a  resolution  be 
adopted  pledging  the  cooperation  of  the  Federation 
in  securing  the  ballot  for  Indians. 

Mrs.  Henry  White,  of  High  Point,  Chairman  of 
Education,  made  her  report  and  then  introduced  Dr. 
Howard  Rondthaler  of  Salem  College,  who  made  an 
address  on  "Certain  Educational  Problems." 

Mrs.  John  Gilmer,  Chairman  of  Districts,  then  made 
a  report  in  which  she  recommended  that  the  State 
Federation  of  Home  Bureaus  be  admitted  to  the  Fed- 
eration as  an  affiliated  organization.  Mrs.  Jane  Mc- 
Kimmon,  head  of  the  Home  Bureaus,  spoke  of  the 
wisdom  of  such  action.  Motion  was  made  and  carried. 
It  was  a  happy  and  progressive  step,  bringing  into  close 
relation  the  clubs  of  the  Federation  and  the  rural  clubs 
of  the  Home  Demonstration  work;  giving  to  each  set 
of  clubs  a  new  feeling  of  sisterhood  and  cooperation, 
each  capable  of  helping  the  other.  The  resolution  em- 
bodied the  plan  for  affiliation  and  was  as  follows : 


164  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  following  plan  to  affiliate  the  State  Federation  of 
Home  Bureaus  with  the  State  Federation  of  Women's  clubs 
has  been  agreed  upon  by  a  committee  appointed  from 
each  organization,  and  the  results  of  the  deliberations 
of  the  joint  committee  will  be  presented  to  the  State  Fed- 
eration of  Women's  Clubs  at  its  May  meeting  in  Greens- 
boro, and  to  the  State  Federation  of  Home  Bureaus  at  its 
meeting  in  August. 

As  the  best  means  of  bringing  organized  urban  and  rural 
women  together  the  committee  recommends  that  affiliation 
shall  begin  in  the  fourteen  districts  as  follows:  From 
each  county  in  the  district  a  delegate  from  the  Home 
Bureau  shall  represent  her  county  organization  at  the  dis- 
trict meeting  and  report  on  its  proceedings,  and  have  the 
privilege  of  the  vote. 

These  Home  Bureau  delegates  shall  elect  one  of  their 
number  to  represent  the  organization  at  the  State  Fede- 
ration. This  will  make  eventually  a  representation  of  four- 
teen delegates  who  shall  have  the  power  to  vote  in  the 
Federation,  and  who  shall  make  a  report  of  the  work  of 
the  State  Federation  of  Home  Bureaus  through  its  Presi- 
dent or  her  chosen  representative.  Affiliation  fees  shall 
be  on  the  basis  of  $2  for  each  district  represented. 

The  Committee  further  recommends  that  a  delegate  from 
each  district  in  the  Federation  be  sent  to  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Federation  of  Home  Bureaus  and  that  a 
report  of  the  work  of  the  Federation  be  made  by  the 
president  or  her  chosen  representative.  The  committee 
recommends  also  that  clubs  in  small  villages  and  rural 
districts  come  into  the  organization  which  best  fits  their 
needs  having  a  realization  that  the  affiliation  of  both 
organizations  means  a  united  womanhood  to  work  for  the 
good  of  the  home  and  the  State. 


Twentieth  Convention  165 

For  the  State  Federa-  For    the    State   Federa- 
tion  of   Woman's  tion    of   Home 
Clubs  Bureaus 

Mrs.    Thomas    O'Berry  Mrs.  Jane  S.  McKimmon 

Mrs.  Estelle  T.   Smith  Mrs.   J.    B.   Mason 

Mrs.  G.  E.  Leftwich  Miss    Anna    Rowe 

The  above  report  and  resolution  was  presented  at 
Greensboro  to  the  Executive  Board,  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors and  the  Convention,  and  unanimously  adopted. 

Mrs.  Ed.  Land,  the  Treasurer,  then  reported,  making 
many  fine  recommendations  for  the  benefit  of  her  suc- 
cessor in  the  method  of  handling  the  increasing  variety 
of  funds,  managed  by  the  Treasurer.  She  begged  that 
the  Loan  Fund  "never  be  completed  until  every  girl  in 
North  Carolina  is  educated  and  fitted  to  take  care  of 
herself  on  life's  highway."  Her  recommendations  were 
all  adopted  and  Mrs.  Land  was  thanked  for  her  fidelity 
and  efficiency. 

The  Chairman  of  Art,  Mrs.  Marshall  Williams,  re- 
ported the  giving  of  these  prizes  in  her  Department. 
One  of  $10  in  gold,  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Cooper ;  one  of  $5 
by  Mrs.  Marshall  Williams,  and  the  third  by  the  Art 
Department  for  the  best  High  School  Exhibit. 

A  little   nonsense,   now   and   then 
Is  relished  by  the  best  of  men, 

and  on  Thursday  afternoon  a  diversion  was  created 
when  the  nine  Ex-Presidents  marched  into  the  Con- 
vention Hall,  in  the  order  of  their  election,  singing  the 
"Song  of  the  Exes."  Music  had  always  been  rendered 
at  the  meetings  but  that  was  an  innovation.  It  was  a 
poetic  effusion  from  the  active  brain  of  Mrs.  Eugene 


166  Histobt  of  Women's  Clubs 

Reilley,  "one  of  them,"  and  was  sung  to  the  tune  of 
"The  Old  Oaken  Bucket."  The  verses  brought  in  the 
names  of  each  Past  President. 

SONG  OF  THE  EX-PRESIDENTS 
May  4,  1922,  Greensboro,  N.  C. 

How  dear  to  our  hearts  is  this  old  Federation 
As  your  charming  Ex-Presidents  but  come  into  view. 
There's   Patterson,   Alderman,   sweet  Margaref  Gibson, 
Our  own  Laura  Reilley  belongs  to  you  too. 

CHOETTS 

The  old  rusty  Exes,  the  iron-willed  Exes, 

The  moss-covered  Exes  that  hang  round  you  still. 

Now  here's  Sallie  Cotten,  we  love  and  adore  you, 
And  Adelaide  Fries  so  staunch  and  so  true. 
And  smart  Clara  Lingle  can  rise  to  the  test, 
While  Katy-did  Johnson  is  one  of  the  best. 

And  here  is  the  Hook  who  can  hold  us  together 
In  love  and  activity  through  all  the  rough  weather; 
And  Cooper  will  stand  with  us  all  in  due  time, 
But  all  of  us  soon  she  is  sure  to  outshine. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Federation 
Conventions,  all  Ex-Presidents  were  present  and  Mrs. 
Reilley  improved  the  opportunity.  Great  applause 
greeted  the  "Exes"  as  they  marched  in,  one  behind  the 
other  in  the  order  they  had  served,  and  mounted  the 
platform  in  a  line  to  receive  the  ovation  which  was 
given  them  with  vigor  and  enthusiasm,  Mrs.  Cooper, 
soon  to  be  an  "Ex"  standing  in  the  rear  so  as  to  be 
seen.     It  was  greatly  enjoyed. 


Twentieth  Convention  167 

Delegates  to  the  Biennial  at  Chautauqua  were  elected 
and  it  was  announced  that  the  General  Federation  had 
requested  each  State  to  send  to  Chautauqua  a  state 
musician  and  Mrs.  Lois  Long  Piker  of  ISTew  York,  but 
a  North  Carolina  woman,  well  known  for  her  beautiful 
voice,  had  been  appointed  as  the  North  Carolina  con- 
tribution to   Biennial  music. 

As  always,  Fine  Arts  Evening  was  elaborate  and 
interesting.  A  delightful  musical  program  was  pre- 
sented by  Mrs.  Norman  Wills,  which  was  thoroughly 
enjoyed.  Then  followed  the  awarding  of  the  silver 
cups,  an  event  always  interesting  and  sometimes 
thrilling. 

Mrs.  Hook  presented  the  Duncan  Cup  to  Miss  Pearl 
Little,  of  Hickory,  it  being  the  fourth  time  she  had 
won  it  and  she  was  present  to  receive  it.  Her  winning 
song  was  called  "If  I  Were  a  Fairy." 

Mrs.  Fairbrother  then  presented  a  new  silver  cup 
to  the  Federation.  It  was  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Sidney 
Cooper,  in  honor  of  her  mother-in-law,  Mrs.  D.  Y. 
Cooper,  for  many  years  a  faithful  worker  in  the  North 
Carolina  Federation.  The  cup  was  to  be  known  as  the 
Florence  M.  Cooper  Cup  and  was  to  be  awarded  for  the 
second  best  original  musical  composition  entered  each 
year  in  the  contest. 

Mrs.  B,.  B..  Cotten,  Honorary  President  of  the  Fede- 
ration, and  co-worker  with  Mrs.  Cooper  in  the  pioneer 
days,  accepted  the  cup  for  the  Federation.  Mrs.  D.  Y. 
Cooper,  the  honoree  to  whom  it  was  a  great  surprise, 
expressed  her  deep  appreciation  of  the  honor,  and  the 


168  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Florence  M.  Cooper  Cup  was  admitted  to  the  Silver 
Cup  Sorority  of  the  Federation. 

The  Literature  Chairman  then  presented  the  Separk 
Cup  for  the  best  poem,  to  Mrs.  Koscoe  Wall  of  Winston- 
Salem,  and  the  Joseph  Caldwell  Cup  to  Miss  Mary 
Pressly  of  Hickory  for  the  best  short  story. 

The  Chairman  of  Art  presented  the  first  prize  for 
Art,  $10  in  gold,  the  generosity  of  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper, 
to  Mrs.  Julia  Smith  of  Greensboro ;  the  second  prize  of 
$5  from  the  Art  Department,  to  the  Greensboro  City 
Schools,  which  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Guy  Phillips  of 
Greensboro.  The  prize  for  the  rural  schools  was  ac- 
cepted by  Mrs.  Patton. 

The  following  morning  with  Mrs.  John  Gilmer  pre- 
siding the  thirteen  districts  were  all  represented  and 
gave  good  reports.  Mrs.  Gilmer  presented  the  gavel 
to  Mrs.  John  Knox  of  Lumberton,  for  District  No.  12, 
which  had  brought  in  the  largest  number  of  clubs  during 
the  year.  The  second  prize,  a  picture  of  Mrs.  Cotten, 
was  given  to  Mrs.  Thomas  O'Berry  of  Goldsboro,  of 
District  ]STo.  8,  for  having  brought  in  the  second  largest 
number  of  clubs.  Special  mention  was  made  of  Mrs. 
Falls  of  District  No.  4,  for  the  good  work  of  her  Dis- 
trict. The  quotas  for  purchasing  furniture  for  the  liv- 
ing rooms  at  Samarcand  Manor  were  read  by  Mrs. 
Gilmer  and  the  districts  cheerfully  promised  to  raise 
their  quotas  and  thus  add  to  the  happiness  of  the  girls 
at  Samarcand. 

The  Nominating  Committee,  through  the  chairman, 
Mrs.  Clarence  Johnson,  reported:  First  Vice  President, 
Mrs.  T.  Lenoir  Gwyn,  Waynesville;  Recording  Secre- 


Twentieth  Convention  169 

tary,  Mrs.  F.  R.  Perdue,  Raleigh;  Treasurer,  Mrs. 
Clyde  Eby,  New  Bern. 

A  motion  was  made  and  carried  that  the  ballot  be 
cast  by  the  Secretary  for  the  nominees  which  was  done. 

Mrs.  T.  "W.  Lingle  brought  a  message  from  the 
Social  Service  Conference.  Miss  "Weil  presented  twenty 
resolutions,  which  were  all  adopted,  and  courtesies  were 
read  by  Mrs.  J.  T.  Alderman.  The  new  officers  were 
presented,  and  the  Twentieth  Convention  of  the  Fede- 
ration was  declared  adjourned. 


GHAPTEE  XXIV 

SOUTH  EASTERN  COUNCIL 
NORTH  CAROLINA  COUNCIL 

PlNEHURST 1922 

A  largely  attended  and  very  interesting  Midwinter 
Council  Meeting  was  held  at  Pinehurst  in  December, 
1922.  The  North  Carolina  Federation  had  joined  the 
Southeastern  Council,  and  that  organization  met  at 
Pinehurst  at  the  same  time,  thus  bringing  representa- 
tives from  seven  southern  states  together  for  discus- 
sion and  friendship,  while  holding  separate  meetings. 
Both  organizations  were  well  represented,  each  State 
having  its  President  and  some  delegates  in  attendance. 
A  new  and  unexpected  experience  had  come  to  the  Fede- 
ration. It  had  been  blessed  with  many  splendid 
presidents  but  none  had  ever  presented  it  with  a  baby 
girl  for  a  mascot.  This  Mrs.  Cooper  had  done  and  the 
baby  was  at  Pinehurst,  in  proof  thereof.  She  was 
born  on  Election  Day,  November  7,  1922,  and  on  De- 
cember 7,  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten  presented  her  to  the  two 
organizations,  as  "the  most  precious  gift  life  can  be- 
stow" because  a  girl  baby  embodies  all  future  possi- 
bilities. She  was  at  once  enveloped  in  an  ovation  of 
good  wishes.  She  was  promptly  elected  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Southeastern  Council,  and  presented 
with  a  silver  cup  by  that  organization.  She  was  for- 
mally adopted  as  the  Federation  Mascot,  and  Mrs.  John 
Gilmer,  Second  Vice  President,  presented  a  silver  bowl, 

[170] 


Mary  Louise  Cooper 
Our  Mascot 


Double  Council,  Meeting  171 

properly  engraved,  in  behalf  of  the  North  Carolina 
Federation,  from  which  bowl  she  was  later  christened. 
Then,  the  Home  Economics  Department,  recognizing 
the  necessity  for  food,  presented  a  silver  knife,  fork, 
and  spoon.  Mrs.  Eeilley,  followed  by  the  President  of 
the  seven  states  represented,  made  good  wishes,  like  fairy 
godmothers,  and  all  accepted  her  as  an  embryonic  club- 
woman, and  possibly  a  stateswoman  of  the  future  which 
will  be  full  of  possibilities  for  women.  It  was  a  most 
auspicious  occasion  and  demonstrated  that  women  could 
serve  the  public,  as  Mrs.  Cooper  had  done,  and  continue 
to  raise  families. 

The  days  passed  pleasantly,  but  business  was  not  neg- 
lected. Program  and  plans  for  the  Winston-Salem 
Convention  were  discussed  and  perfected.  Motion  pic- 
ture censorship  was  discussed,  pro  and  con,  but  the 
Federation  had  endorsed  censorship,  and  refused  to 
rescind  its  action. 

A  visit  to  Samarcand  Manor  greatly  increased  the 
interest  of  the  clubwomen  in  that  institution.  There 
is  nothing  so  convincing  as  seeing  theories  in  actual 
practice  and  working  out  satisfactorily. 

Dr.  McBrayer  gave  a  talk  on  the  work  at  the  State 
Sanatorium.  Teas,  drives,  and  social  pleasures  made 
it  a  time  of  great  joy  to  all. 


CHAPTEE  XXV 

TWENTY-FIRST    CONVENTION 

Winston-Salem — 1923 

Here's  to  the  Royal  Twin  City, 
The  city  of  Progress  and  Peace, 
Where  the  men  are  as  gallant  as  witty 
And   courtesies  kind  never  cease. 
Our  hearts  we  leave  with  the  women, 
Our  bills  we  leave  with  the  men, 
Good-bye!   and  If  ever  you  ask  us, 
We'll  certainly  come  back  again. 

So  sang  the  Federation  Bard,  Mrs.  Al  Fairbrother, 
when  the  1912  Convention  in  Winston-Salem  ad- 
journed. 

In  fulfillment  of  her  prediction,  and  in  response  to 
the  invitation  from  the  Twin  City  clubs,  the  Federa- 
tion did  "come  back"  again"  for  another  Convention 
in  1923.  Anniversary  meetings  are  like  family  re- 
unions. They  bring  the  clubwomen  back  home,  and 
strengthen  "the  tie  that  binds,"  both  in  heart  and 
service  those  who  strive  together  for  a  better  world  in 
which  to  live. 

The  Twenty-first  Convention  of  the  North  Carolina 
Federation  opened  on  Wednesday,  May  2,  1923,  with 
the  Executive  Board  meeting  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Frederick  Bahnson,  who  also  entertained  the  Board  at 
a  beautiful  luncheon.  The  Trustees  and  the  Directors 
met  in  the  afternoon  in  the  Orangerie  Room  at  the 
Robert  E.  Lee  Hotel.  Those  meetings  were  followed 
by  a  drive  over  the  city  and  a  visit  to  Reynolda. 

[172] 


Twenty- first  Convention  173 

The  evening  session  was  held  in  Memorial  Hall  at 
Salem  College,  the  birthplace  of  the  Federation.  An 
impressive  invocation  by  the  venerable  Bishop  Rond- 
thaler  was  followed  by  the  Federation  Song.  Welcomes 
from  ten  organizations  greeted  the  visitors  after  which 
Mrs.  Lindsay  Patterson,  the  First  President  of  the 
Federation,  in  her  own  unique  way  welcomed  her  "one 
time  baby,"  now  grown  to  its  maturity,  and  showing 
the  results  of  her  training  by  its  service  to  humanity. 
The  response  for  the  Federation  was  made  by  Mrs. 
R.  R.  Cotten,  which  included  many  points  of  interest 
in  the  twenty-one  years  of  the  life  of  the  Federation. 
She  asked  and  answered  two  questions,  "What  have 
clubs  done  for  women?"  and  "What  have  clubwomen 
done  for  the  world?" 

The  President's  address  followed.  She  declared  her 
faith  in  Women's  Clubs  as  a  future  factor  in  civic  life, 
urged  the  women  to  live  up  to  their  motto,  "The  union 
of  all  for  the  good  of  all."  That  meeting  marked  the 
close  of  her  administration  but  she  said  there  would  be 
no  cessation  of  her  activity  in  promoting  them  and 
hoped  her  little  daughter,  the  Federation  Mascot,  would 
in  time  become  an  active  clubwoman. 

Several  vocal  solos  were  rendered  between  the  events 
of  the  evening. 

Mrs.  Kennickell,  Chairman  of  Music,  introduced 
Mrs.  Marx  Obendorfer,  Music  Chairman  of  the  Gen- 
eral Federation,  who  made  an  interesting  talk  on  "Music 
and  the  Clubwoman."  She  congratulated  the  State  on 
having  the  best  folk  music  in  the  world. 


174  Histoey  or  Women's  Clubs 

The  business  session  commenced  on  Thursday  morn- 
ing. A  splendid  new  idea  had  been  evolved  from  the 
brain  of  Winston-Salem  clubwomen. 

To  gain  more  time  for  exchange  of  thought  and  ex- 
perience, Department  Breakfasts  at  8  a.m.  had  been 
launched  to  take  the  place  of  Afternoon  Conferences, 
thus  leaving  afternoons  for  general  business  which  all 
could  attend.  Each  Department  and  those  delegates 
interested  in  the  subjects  to  be  discussed  would  meet 
at  the  same  table  and  while  waiting  to  be  served  and 
during  the  meal,  discuss  informally  their  respective 
problems.  It  was  an  experiment.  Early  rising  was 
not  the  special  function  of  clubwomen.  After  being  up 
late  the  preceding  night,  it  was  feared  by  some  that 
being  ready  for  breakfast  and  a  discussion  at  8  a.m. 
was  a  hard  test.  The  result  was  amazing,  even  thrilling. 
Nothing  more  popular,  nothing  more  beneficial  had 
ever  been  devised.  The  brain  is  clearer  and  capable  of 
quicker  action  in  the  early  morning.  So  the  Depart- 
ments were  grouped,  the  District  Presidents  were  as- 
signed time  and  place,  and  the  Breakfast  Conferences 
went  merrily  on,  and  were  pronounced  a  success. 

The  Credentials  Committee  began  its  duties  at  9 
a.m.,  and  the  business  session  in  the  Masonic  Temple  at 
10  a.m.,  Mrs.  Cooper  in  the  chair.  The  Clubwoman's 
Collect  was  recited,  and  the  familiar  routine  business 
followed. 

Committee  on  Rules  and  Regulations  continued  to 
report  the  Eederation  Hat  a  non-member,  and  not  a 
voice  was  raised  in  behalf  of  that  exile. 


Twenty-first  Convention  175 

Mrs.  Kennickell  announced  that  the  new  Club 
Woman's  Hymn  would  be  rendered  by  a  quartet,  after 
which  she  reported  a  fund  of  $240  for  a  Music  Loan 
Fund,  which  the  Executive  Board  recommended  that 
the  Federation  accept.  It  was  to  be  used  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  successive  Music  Chairmen  to  help  girls 
obtain  a  musical  education.  She  also  suggested  that 
each  succesive  Music  Chairman  try  to  increase  the 
fund,. 

The  Credentials  Committee  reported  285  delegates 
present  which  announcement  brought  great  applause. 

The  Nominating  Committee  was  elected  as  follows : 
Mrs.  E.  E.  Cotten,  Mrs.  Charles  E.  Piatt,  Mrs.  Jack 
Hollister,  Mrs.  E.  M.  Land,  Miss  Adelaide  Fries. 

The  Trustees  reported  $4,000  cash  to  be  invested 
for  the  Endowment.  Pledges  were  taken  for  the 
Endowment. 

Mrs.  Eose  Berry,  Chairman  of  Fine  Arts  for  the 
General  Federation,  and  the  guest  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Federation,  having  arrived,  was  invited  to  the 
stage. 

Mrs.  Land,  Chairman  in  charge  of  the  Loan  Fund, 
made  a  comprehensive  report  of  that  fund.  She  re- 
ported forty-eight  girls  had  been  aided,  and  no  money 
had  ever  been  lost.  The  time  for  surprises  had  come 
and  her  first  surprise  was  that  Mrs.  Cotten  had  pre- 
sented to  the  Fund  a  booklet  of  Negro  Folklore 
Stories,  which  Mrs.  Cotten  herself  had  written.  The 
stories  had  been  printed  and  the  booklet  was  on  sale 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Loan  Fund.  Another  pleasant 
surprise  was   that  Mary   Louisa    Cooper,    six   months 


176  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

old  daughter  of  the  President,  had  loaned  to  the 
Federation  a  North  Carolina  Bond  for  $1,000,  to  be 
used  by  the  Loan  Fund  Committee  without  interest 
for  fifteen  years,  and  then  revert  to  the  donor  as  a 
nucleus  for  her  own  education. 

Mrs.  Cotten  then  presented  the  Mascot  to  the  Con- 
vention which  was  giving  her  a  rising  vote  of  thanks, 
which  she  received  in  a  calm  manner,  without  saying 
a  word.  Perhaps  she  thought  Mrs.  Cotten  would  talk 
for  her.  The  splendid  report  elicited  a  rising  vote 
of  thanks  for  Mrs.  Land,  after  which  generous  pledges 
of  money  for  the  coming  year  were  added  to  the  Fund. 

Mrs.,  B.  H.  Griffin,  Chairman  of  Membership,  re- 
ported 54  new  clubs  had  joined,  the  Federation.  Many 
of  them  had  delegates  present,  who  were  welcomed  by 
their  co-workers,  and  a  rising  vote  of  thanks  given  Mrs. 
Griffin  for  bringing  in  again  the  largest  number  of 
clubs  ever  admitted  in  one  year.  She  had  excelled 
herself. 

It  is  wisdom  to  flavor  business  with  a  dash  of 
pleasure.  This  was  exquisitely  done  at  a  luncheon  to  the 
Federation  Past  Presidents  (by  Mrs.  Reilley  dubbed 
"the  Exes")  given  by  Miss  Fries,  "one  of  them," 
at  her  home  on  Thursday,  May  3.  The  decorations 
and  table  settings  were  all  in  blue  and  white,  Federa- 
tion Colors,  and  each  "Ex"  was  presented  with  a  tiny 
gold  "X"  enameled  in  blue  and  white  and  arranged  so 
it  could  be  attached  to  the  Federation  pin.  It  was 
a  dainty  souvenir  of  a  most  delightful  occasion. 

Thursday  evening  was  Fine  Arts  Evening,  always 
interesting,  for  every  one  wishes  to  know  who  won  each 


Twenty-first  Convention  177 

cup.  The  stage  looked  very  elegant  decorated  with  six 
handsome  silver  cups,  which  meant,  not  a  display  of 
silverware  but  the  proof  of  the  existence  of  real  liter- 
ary and  musical  talent  in  North  Carolina,  which  the 
Federation  was  striving  to  stimulate  and  encourage. 

The  meeting  opened  with  the  singing  of  "The  Club 
Woman's  Hymn."  Then  followed  an  organ  selection 
by  Dean  Shirley  of  Salem  College. 

Then  the  cups  were  presented  to  the  winners,  each 
winner  coming  forward  and  receiving  her  special  cup. 
The  Duncan  Cup  was  awarded  to  Mrs.  J.  K.  Pfohl  of 
Winston-Salem  for  the  best  vocal  number,  entitled  "The 
Light'ood  Eire." 

The  Florence  Cooper  Cup  went  to  Miss  Pearl  Little 
of  Hickory,  the  musical  genius  who  has  won  cups  so 
many  times.  It  was  for  an.  instrumental  number 
called  "Valse  Lente."  The  $10  gold  piece,  offered  by 
Mrs.  Kennickell,  Chairman  of  Music,  for  the  best 
setting  for  the  Club  Woman's  Hymn,  the  verses  of 
which  Mrs.  Cotten  had  written  at  the  request  of  Mrs. 
Kennickell,  was  awarded  to  Miss  Ethel  Abbott  of 
Ealeigh. 

The  O.  Henry  Cup,  gift  of  the  Kiwanis  Club  of 
Greensboro,  for  the  best  short  story  with  a  humorous 
touch,  was  awarded  to  Mrs.  Homer  Benton  of  Sanford, 
for  a  story  called  "They's  Liars  Here." 

The  Separk  Cup  for  the  best  poem  was  awarded  to 
Mrs.  J.  Bryan  Grimes  for  the  poem  "The  House  of 
Loneliness." 

12 


178  Hibtory  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  Joseph  Caldwell  Cup  for  the  best  short  story 
went  to  Miss  Mary  Pressley  of  Charlotte  for  the  story, 
"The  House  of  Life." 

Mrs.  Leavitt,  Chairman  of  Literature,  and  Miss 
Martha  Doughton,  Chairman  of  Contests,  announced 
they  had  collected  all  the  prize  winning  material,  prose 
and  poetry  from  1915  to  1923,  and  that  material  had 
been  published  under  the  title  Poems  and  Stories  of 
the  Old  North  State.  It  would  be  sold  to  all  desiring 
it  but  it  must  pay  the  printer  before  any  profits  could 
accrue  to  the  Federation.  There  were  153  entries  for 
the  cups  in  the  literary  contest  and  to  emphasize  the 
interest  in  literature,  there  were  165  women  at  the 
Breakfast  of  the  Department  in  Literature  in  Winston- 
Salem. 

A  silver  cup  had  been  given  by  Mrs.  John  Gilmer, 
Chairman  of  Districts,  to  be  presented  each  year  to 
the  District  President  having  the  largest  percentage  in 
attendance  at  the  District  Meeting,  the  number  of  clubs 
in  the  District,  the  distance  traveled,  all  being  con- 
sidered. A  new  district  had  been  added,  Number  14, 
and  Mrs.  J.  G.  Fearing  was  its  President.  The  cup 
for  the  districts,  called  the  Gilmer  Cup,  was  won  by 
Mrs.  Fearing.  The  gavel  for  securing  the  largest  num- 
ber of  new  clubs  also  went  to  Mrs.  Fearing.  Her  new 
district  was  fertile  soil  and  she,  being  thoroughly  alive 
and  full  of  club  spirit,  had  aroused  great  interest  in 
her  district  and  was  winning  many  prizes. 

The  second  district  prize,  a  picture  of  Mrs.  Cotten, 
was  won  by  Mrs.  John  Knox  of  the  12th  District. 


Twenty-first  Convention  179 

In  a  few  well  chosen  words  Miss  Margaret  Gibson  in- 
troduced Mrs.  Bose  V.  S.  Berry  of  California,  General 
Federation  Chairman  of  Fine  Arts,  who  gave  a  schol- 
arly address  on  "Music,  Literature,  and  Art,  the  Voice 
of  the  Peoples." 

Two  piano  solos  were  rendered  by  Miss  Naomi  Bre- 
vard, winner  in  the  piano  contest  of  the  North  Carolina 
Federation  of  Music  Clubs,  and  South  Atlantic  District. 

First  prize  in  tapestry  was  awarded  to  Mrs.  Bufus 
Gwyn,  Lenoir;  first  prize  in  painting  to  Mrs.  J.  L. 
Graham,  Winston-Salem;  first  prize  in  china  paint- 
ing to  Mrs.  James  Gray,  Winston-Salem.  A  vocal  solo 
by  Mrs.  Pfohl  closed  a  lovely  evening. 

The  Friday  morning  session  found  much  business 
yet  unfinished,  but  the  delegates  promptly  got  down  to 
work  with  Mrs.  Cooper  in  the  chair.  Many  splendid 
reports  were  read  full  of  fine  recommendations  for 
future  work.  Mrs.  White,  Chairman  of  Education, 
pleaded  for  the  energies  of  the  clubwomen  to  be  di- 
rected to  helping  Miss  Kelly  eradicate  illiteracy  and  to 
strive  for  a  12th  grade  in  every  high  school.  Miss 
Kelly  made  an  earnest  plea  for  the  illiterate,  and  urged 
support  for  the  Towner-Sterling  Bill.  Then  a  wave  of 
excitement  swept  over  the  audience. 

Mrs.  Thomas  G.  Winter,  General  Federation  Presi- 
dent, once  more  the  honored  guest  of  North  Carolina, 
had  entered  the  hall.  She  was  introduced  to  the  As- 
sembly and  responded  to  the  welcome.  She  declared 
the  General  Federation  had  special  appreciation  for 
the  type  of  women  North  Carolina  is  giving  to  the 


180  History  of  "Women's  Clubs 

General  Federation,  and  mentioned  Mrs.  Eugene 
Reilley  of  Charlotte  who  had  served  the  General  Fed- 
eration in  many  capacities  for  many  years. 

The  report  of  the  Nominating  Committee  was  called 
for.  It  is  always  an  exciting  report,  but  when  the 
Chairman,  Mrs.  Cotten,  presented  the  first  name,  Mrs. 
Palmer  Jerman  of  Raleigh,  she  could  not  proceed 
with  the  report  because  of  the  storm  of  applause.  The 
women  had  long  desired  to  make  Mrs.  Jerman  president 
and  at  last  the  time  had  arrived.  The  full  report  was : 
President,  Mrs.  Palmer  Jerman,  Raleigh;  Second 
Vice  President,  Mrs.  Thomas  O'Berry,  Goldsboro; 
Recording  Secretary,  Mrs.  E.  L.  McKee,  Sylva;  Cor- 
responding Secretary,  Mrs.  P.  R.  Perdue,  Raleigh; 
Auditor,  Mrs.  Fred  Bahnson,  Winston-Salem;  General 
Federation  Director,  Mrs.  S.  P.  Cooper,  Henderson; 
Trustee,  Mrs.  R.  R.   Cotten,  F'armville. 

No  nominations  came  from  the  floor.  On  motion  the 
Secretary  was  instructed  to  cast  a  unanimous  ballot 
for  all  the  nominees  and  that  Mrs.  Cooper  for  Director 
and  Mrs.  Cotten  for  Trustee  be  elected  by  a  rising  vote. 
It  was  so  done. 

Miss  Gibson  made  her  report  on  General  Federation 
Headquarters.  An  enlightening  discussion  followed, 
and  Miss  Gibson  made  a  plea  for  an  increase  in  con- 
tribution from  the  North  Carolina  Federation.  The 
amount  finally  forwarded  through  Miss  Gibson  to  the 
Washington  Headquarters  from  the  North  Carolina 
Federation  was  $1,500. 


Twenty- first  Convention  181 

The  following  recommendation  was  offered  by  Mrs. 
Parham :  "That  the  Executive  Board  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Federation  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the  name 
of  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley,  Past  Vice  President  of  the 
General  Federation  as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of 
Honorary  Vice  President  of  the  General  Federation 
of  Women's  Clubs."  On  motion  of  Mrs..  John  Gilmer, 
the  recommendation  was  accepted,  and  it  was  ordered 
that  the  name  of  Mrs.  Reilley  be  presented  at  the  Gen- 
eral Federation  Council  meeting  to  be  held  at  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  the  following  week.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  record  that 
the  General  Federation  was  pleased  at  the  Los  Angeles 
Biennial,  to  bestow  on  Mrs.  Reilley  an  honor  she  had 
earned  and  one  she  would  wear  with  distinction  to 
herself,  her   State  and  her   Federation. 

Miss  Gibson  then  presented  a  number  of  amendments 
to  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws.  One  was  to  raise 
the  annual  per  capita  dues  for  each  clubwomen  from 
15  cents  to  50  cents.  A  lively  discussion  followed,  as 
an  increase  in  taxes  always  excites  an  American,  but 
it  was  finally  voted  down  most  emphatically. 

Mrs.  Cooper  announced  that  all  Past  Presidents 
of  the  Federation,  all  Presidents  of  clubs,  all  District 
Presidents,  were  expected  to  sit  on  the  platform  at  the 
evening  session.  Mrs.  Winter,  President  of  General 
Federation,  would  be  the  speaker  of  the  evening  and  it 
would  literally  be  a  President's  Night. 

The  new  officers  were  invited  to  the  platform  and  all 
received  an  ovation.  They  knew  they  were  expected 
to  work,  but  they  took  up  the  task  cheerfully. 


182  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  evening  session  was  a  gala  time.  Memorial 
Hall  at  Salem  College  was  ablaze  with  beauty  and  joy. 
It  was  President's  Night,  not  even  surpassed  by  the 
Commencement  Nights  to  which  Memorial  Hall  was 
accustomed. 

The  procession  of  Presidents  was  headed  by  Mrs. 
Winter,  President  of  the  General  Federation,  and  Mrs. 
Cooper,  President  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation, 
closely  followed  by  the  newly  elected  President,  Mrs. 
Jerman,  with  Miss  Berry,  and  Mrs.  Obendorfer  of  the 
General  Federation  Board,  with  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten, 
Honorary  President  North  Carolina  Federation,  and 
guests  of  North  Carolina  Federation;  next  came  the 
District  Presidents  and  the  Presidents  of  all  North 
Carolina  clubs  present.  They  marched  to  seats  of 
honor  on  the  stage,  while  Mrs.  T.  H.  Sebring  played 
on  the  organ  Gounod's  Grand  Processional  March  from 
the  "Queen  of  Sheba." 

The  meeting  opened  with  the  singing  of  "America," 
Mrs.  Sidney  Cooper  presiding. 

In  a  few  well  chosen  words  Mrs.  Cooper  introduced 
Mrs.  Winter,  the  audience  rising  in  her  honor.  Her 
subject  was  "The  American  Home,"  and  Mrs.  Winter 
was  well  qualified  to  discuss  it.  A  true  woman,  with 
heart  and  brain  aglow  with  the  love  of  humanity,  an 
orator  by  nature  and  a  believer  in  American  ideals, 
she  kept  her  audience  enraptured  while  she  reviewed 
the  changes  of  time  which  now  seem  to  threaten  to 
destroy  the  home  life  of  the  people.  It  was  a  masterful 
effort,  full  of  thought  and  feeling  from  a  home  loving 


Twenty- fiest  Convention  183 

woman,  who  yet  serves  the  public  so  well,  thereby  hon- 
oring all  women. 

After  the  applause  subsided  Mrs.  W.  T.  Bost,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Raleigh  Woman's  Club,  gave  a  most  allur- 
ing invitation  for  the  Federation  to  hold  its  next  meet- 
ing in  Ealeigh.  This  was  cordially  endorsed  by  Mrs. 
Josephus  Daniels.  Asheville  and  Wilson  both  gave 
invitations  for  the  same  convention,  but  Raleigh's 
Star  was  in  the  ascendant,  and  Asheville  and  Wilson 
withdrew  in  favor  of  Raleigh. 

An  invitation  from  Hickory  for  the  next  Council 
Meeting  was  also  accepted.  Then  Mrs.  Winter  took  a 
hand  in  the  administration  of  "surprises"  which  had 
characterized  the  Convention.  Acting  for  Mrs.  Cooper, 
the  retiring  President,  she  presented  to  each  Past 
President  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  a  gold  bar- 
pin  bearing  the  words,  Past  President  North  Carolina 
Federation  of  Clubs,  with  date  of  service,  and  on  the 
reverse  side  the  name  of  the  recipient.  It  was  a  grace- 
ful acknowledgment  of  their  loyalty  and  cooperation. 

After  the  singing  of  "Auld  Lang  Syne"  by  the  as- 
sembly, the  meeting  adjourned  to  attend  a  reception 
at  the  Robert  E.  Lee  Hotel,  courtesy  of  the  Woman's 
Club  and  the  Winston-Salem  Sorosis. 

One  would  suppose  the  delightful  reception  was  a 
suitable  "end  of  a  perfect  day,"  but  after  many  had  left 
the  ball  room  and  were  retiring,  the  hotel  was  reported 
on  fire.  Much  smoke  was  on  the  upper  floors,  and  a 
near  panic  ensued.  Many  had  not  retired  but  lingered 
in  the  lobby  talking  over  the  pleasures  of  the  Conven- 
tion.    Still  in  their  evening  gowns  those  who  lingered 


184  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

in  the  lobby  were  shocked  to  see  crowding  into  the  lobby, 
friends  and  co-workers,  some  en  dishabille,  some  hastily 
donning  their  clothes  as  they  emerged  from  the  ele- 
vator, and  many  who  preferred  the  stairway  came  down 
strewing  hastily  collected  garments  as  they  de- 
scended,. Even  Governor  Morrison  was  not  immune 
from  the  panic  which  seemed  contagious.  The  man- 
ager of  the  hotel  handled  the  situation  promptly  and 
courteously,  assuring  the  women  there  was  no  danger, 
which  was  easy  to  believe  while  in  the  lobby  because  the 
tell-tale  smoke  was  on  the  upper  floors,  which  had  been 
promptly  deserted. 

The  Federation  Mascot  was  transferred  to  safety  via 
the  fire  escape  by  a  devoted  father  who  took  no  chances 
of  a  crowded  elevator  or  staircase. 

The  fire  was  confined  to  a  cement  chute  designed  to 
receive  trash  and  paper.  It  was  believed  some  one  had 
carelessly  thrown  a  match  or  cigarette  stump  into  the 
chute  and  the  paper  ignited.  By  natural  laws  the 
smoke  ascended  to  the  upper  floors,  and  crept  through 
crevices  until  discovered,  when  the  Fire  Department 
soon  put  an  end  to  danger  and  the  women  returned  to 
their  rooms.  It  was  the  climax  of  surprises,  and  when 
all  danger  was  past  many  incidents  became  amusing. 
The  lobby  was  compared  to  a  gipsy  camp  where  many 
in  vari-colored  kimonas  wandered  restlessly  around, 
carrying  suitcases  and  precious  parcels,  with  feet  en- 
cased in  high-heeled  evening  slippers,  or  gay  colored 
bed  room  slippers.  One  lady,  bearing  the  Separk 
Cup,  declared  she  would  save  it  for  its  winner  if  all 
her  clothes  were  burned,  while  one  staunch  Daughter 


TwENTY-FIKST    CONVENTION  185 

of  the  Confederacy  strove  to  calm  the  crowd  by  assur- 
ing them  that  the  name  of  the  hotel — Robert  E.  Lee — 
was  a  talisman,  and  no  one  could  get  hurt  in  it.  The 
newly  elected  President,  when  warned  of  the  danger, 
said  calmly,  "It  has  certainly  been  a  day  of  surprises 
to  me.  To  be  elected  the  head  of  40,000  women  in  the 
morning,  and  go  through  a  fire  that  night  does  not  hap- 
pen to  every  woman."  The  next  morning  there  was 
no  evidence  of  panic  or  fright ;  only  praise  for  the 
manager  of  the  hotel. 

A  few  items  of  business  still  being  unfinished,  the 
Convention,  calm  and  undismayed,  met  on  Saturday 
morning.  The  Resolutions  were  read  and  adopted.  The 
courtesies  were  read   and   ordered  printed. 

Then  Mrs.  Cooper  handed  over  the  gavel  to  Mrs. 
Jerman.  Both  spoke  of  the  joy  of  serving  such  a 
splendid  body  of  women,  and  all  the  new  officers  made 
short  talks  pledging  loyalty  and  cooperation. 

Then  Mrs.  Jerman,  who  never  forgets  business,  called 
a  meeting  of  the  Directors  immediately  after  the  ad- 
journment and  declared  the  twenty-first  Convention 
adjourned. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

TWENTY-SECOND  CONVENTION 

Raleigh — 1924 
Hickory    Council — 1923 

At  the  appointed  time  the  Council  gathered  in 
the  town  of  Hickory,  the  guest  of  the  Community 
Club.  The  Executive  Board  met  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Carrie  Gamble,  President  of  the  hostess  club,  where  a 
delicious  luncheon  was  served. 

The  Trustees  and  the  District  Presidents  met  in  the 
afternoon. 

The  evening  session  was  held  in  the  City  Auditorium, 
to  which  the  public  was  cordially  invited.  Mrs. 
Gamble  presided.  After  an  invocation  by  Dr.  R.  B. 
Peery,  the  Federation  song  was  sung,  Miss  Pearl  Little 
at  the  piano. 

Mayor  E.  Lyerly  welcomed  the  Council,  and  Mrs. 
S.  H.  Farabee  brought  greetings  from  the  Hickory 
Clubs,  to  which  Mrs.  F.  F.  Bahnson  responded. 

Mrs.  Gamble  presented  Mrs.  Jerman,  President  of 
the  Federation,  who  introduced  Judge  "Wade  H.  Wil- 
liams, of  Charlotte,  who  made  an  address  on  "The 
Juvenile  Court." 

After  some  announcements  and  the  singing  of 
"Hickory,  Hickory,"  the  meeting  adjourned. 

The  business  sessions  were  held  at  Corinth  Reformed 
Church,  where  the  morning  session  opened  promptly, 

[186] 


Twenty-second  Convention  187 

with  Mrs.  Jerman  presiding.  There  was  a  good  attend- 
ance.   The  Club  Woman's  Collect  was  recited  in  unison. 

Department  Chairmen  reported  plans  for  their  winter 
work,  which  were  discussed  and  approved. 

Messages  of  sympathy  and  love  were  sent  to  Mrs. 
Rosalind  Redfearn,  who  was  not  present  because  of 
the  death  of  her  mother,  also  to  Mrs.  E.  E.  Read, 
whose  husband  was  critically  ill. 

The  resignation  of  Mrs.  George  Byrum  of  Edenton, 
Chairman  of  Civics,  was  accepted,  and  Mrs.  Robert 
N.  Page  of  Southern  Pines  was  elected  to  succeed 
her.  Mrs.  Chase,  Chairman  of  Education,  made 
her  report.  A  discussion  followed  on  Motion  Pictures 
— the  usual  disturber  of  the  equanimity  of  all  women. 
Motion  was  made  by  Mrs.  W.  T.  Shore,  seconded  by 
Mrs.  Hook,  that  publicity  be  given  to  the  attitude 
of  "watchful  waiting"  adopted  by  the  Federation  toward 
the  question  of  Motion  Pictures. 

Miss  Gertrude  Weil,  Chairman  of  International  Rela- 
tions, explained  the  work  of  her  committee,  and  moved 
that  the  clubs  unite  with  the  North  Carolina  League  of 
Women  Voters,  and  any  other  statewide  organization 
in  requesting  the  North  Carolina  Senators  in  Congress 
to  support  the  movement  for  the  participation  of  the 
United  States  in  the  permanent  Court  of  International 
Justice. 

It  was  announced  that  Mrs.  Charles  Wagoner  of 
Concord,  Chairman  of  Music,  had  composed  the  Meck- 
lenburg March,  which  had  been  used  at  the  Made-in- 
Carolina  Exposition  in  Charlotte. 


188  Histoky  of  Women's  Clubs 

Some  minor  routine  business  was  transacted  and  the 
Courtesies  read. 

An  elaborate  reception  that  evening  at  the  home  of 
Mrs.  K.  C.  Menzies  closed  a  delightful  meeting.  Many- 
social  features  kept  the  business  from  being  monotonous. 
One  feature  was  the  drive  to  "Jugtown,"  when  the 
delegates  and  hostesses,  escorted  by  the  Kiwanians, 
drove  over  to  the  Jugtown  potteries.  It  was  a  revela- 
tion to  many  to  see  the  potters  at  work,  moulding  the 
native  clay  into  beautiful  shapes  with  their  skillful 
fingers.  Each  delegate  received  a  "little  brown  jug" 
of  perfect  shape,  as  a  souvenir.  While  not  full  of 
"Mountain  dew,"  they  were  full  of  good  wishes  and 
in  many  homes  will  long  be  reminders  of  a  very  pleas- 
ant occasion.  A  gavel  made  of  hickory  wood,  and 
Hickory  walking  sticks  will  long  recall  the  meeting  at 
Hickory. 

The  courtesy  of  the  Rotary  Club  took  the  form  of  a 
dinner  to  which  the  Council  was  invited:  President 
Henry  Holbrook  extended  the  greetings  of  the  Rotarians 
and  expressed  the  hope  that  the  meeting  would  be 
mutually  pleasant  and  profitable.  He  then  turned  the 
meeting  over  to  Mrs.  Carrie  Gamble  who  presented 
other  speakers.  Mrs.  Jerman  spoke  of  the  desirability 
of  cooperation  between  all  clubs,  and  advised  the  Eo- 
tarians to  follow  the  precepts  and  example  of  the 
Women's  Clubs. 

Mrs.  Cotten  congratulated  the  men  on  the  improve- 
ment in  their  clubs.  She  referred  humorously  to  the 
men's  clubs  of  by-gone  days,  which  were  not  as  con- 


Twenty-second  Convention  189 

ducive  to  good  citizenship  as  the  clubs  of  today.  She 
said  she  would  willingly  vote  to  admit  the  Eotary 
Club  into  the  Federation,  because  they  were  working  for 
the  benefit  of  mankind  and  the  world. 

By  virtue  of  cordial  invitations  gladly  accepted,  and 
perhaps  by  destiny,  or  some  special  gravitation,  the 
North  Carolina  Federation  of  Clubs  seemed  to  be 
contracting  a  habit  of  meeting  at  famous  new  hotels 
with  historic  names.  At  Greensboro  it  was  the  new 
O.  Henry,  so  named  in  honor  of  a  native  Carolinian, 
who  became  the  world's  most  famous  writer  of  short 
stories.  Then  at  Winston-Salem  it  was  the  new  Robert 
E.  Lee,  a  name  which  brings  a  thrill  to  the  heart  of 
all  southerners. 


Then  the  Twenty-second  Convention  met  in  Raleigh 
on  May  6,  1924,  in  the  new  Sir  "Walter,  a  name  in- 
delibly woven  into  the  history  of  North  Carolina,  not 
needing  even  the  city  of  Raleigh  to  make  it  famous  and 
familiar.  ISTo  gallant  knights  to  cover  the  ground  with 
cloaks  were  needed,  for  cement  pavements  had  obliter- 
ated all  mud,  and  while  no  Queen  Elizabeths  mingled 
in  the  throng  of  delegates,  many  were  there  queenly, 
serene,  and  worthy  of  crowns  of  honor  won  by  service. 

The  sessions  were  held  in  the  Virginia  Dare  ball 
room,  so  named  in  honor  of  the  first  white  child  of 
English  parents,  born  in  the  United  States.  Perhaps 
few  knew  the  ball  room  bore  such  an  historic  name,  but 


190  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

the  giving  of  historic  names  to  many  of  the  rooms  in 
that  hotel  adds  distinction  to  the  Sir  Walter. 

It  was  Federation  Week  and  Raleigh  welcomed  it 
with  a  cordiality  profuse  and  unsurpassed.  Fifteen 
organizations  on  the  opening  night  expressed  pleasure 
«nd  welcome;  the  press  declared  that  the  man  who  had 
once  frowned  on  Women's  Clubs,  and  his  sister  who 
agreed  with  him  that  "woman's  place  was  in  the 
home,"  were  both  out  of  town,  and  nowhere  to  be 
found. 

Everybody  approved  of  Women's  Clubs,  and  all  de- 
clared the  Federation  had  proved  a  progressive  factor 
in  the  State's  growth.  That  made  all  the  delegates 
happy,  and  happiness  promotes  success,  so  the  result 
was  a  most  successful  convention,  and  every  one  re- 
turned home  a  more  patriotic  woman,  a  more  loyal 
North  Carolinian  because  she  had  been  endorsed  as  a 
clubwoman. 

The  Convention  opened  in  the  Virginia  Dare  Ball 
Room  of  the  Sir  Walter  Hotel  on  Tuesday  evening  at 
8  o'clock,  May  6,  1924,  with  the  President,  Mrs.  Jer- 
man,  in  the  chair.  Greetings  from  social,  political, 
civic,  and  religious  organizations  of  both  male  and 
female  membership  were  responded  to  by  the  Secretary, 
Mrs.  McKee. 

The  absence  of  Mrs.  Josephus  Daniels,  President  of 
the  hostess  club,  was  much  regretted,  but  a  gracious 
greeting  sent  by  her  from  her  sick  bed  in  a  distant 
hospital  was  read  by  Mrs.  W.  T.  Bost. 

Mrs.  Jerman  delivered  her  annual  address  as  Presi- 
dent, in  which  was  given  a  comprehensive  report  of 


Twenty-second  Convention  191 

the  year's  work,  and  a  clear  outline  of  work  for  the 
Federation  for  the  coming  year,  closing  with  an  in- 
spirational vision  of  the  possibilities  of  club  work. 

Her  address  was  followed  by  a  beautiful  reception 
by  Governor  and  Mrs.  Cameron  Morrison  at  the 
Executive  Mansion. 

The  business  meetings  began  next  morning  with  the 
popular  eight  o'clock  Breakfast  Conferences.  The 
Departments  were  grouped  so  as  to  bring  the  greatest 
good  to  the  greatest  number.  One  group  met  in  the 
main  dining-room  at  the  Sir  Walter.  Another  group 
gathered  in  the  dining-room  of  the  Yarborough.  Who 
can  accuse  clubwomen  of  sloth? 

At  ten  o'clock  Mrs.  Jerman  brought  down  the  gavel 
and  business  began,  with  a  large  number  present. 

Rules  and  Regulations  were  read  and  approved — 
hats  and  proxies  being  debarred.  Necessary  committees 
were  appointed  and  District  Presidents  given  more 
time  for  their  reports.  A  telegram  of  regret  for  her 
absence  was  sent  to  Mrs.  Josephus  Daniels  on  motion 
by  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley.  The  nominating  committee 
was  duly  elected,  composed  of  Mrs.  Clyde  Eby,  New 
Bern;  Mrs.  Henry  White,  High  Point;  Mrs.  Fred  Bahn- 
son,  Winston-Salem;  Miss  Margaret  Gibson,  Wilming- 
ton;  Mrs.   Taylor,  Greensboro. 

Many  reports  were  accepted,  and  Mrs.  Clyde  Eby 
was  given  a  rising  vote  of  thanks  for  her  faithful 
service  as  Treasurer.  Mrs.  John  Gilmer  reported  47 
new  clubs  admitted.  The  representatives  from  those 
clubs  were  presented  to  the  Convention  and  given  a 
welcome  by  Mrs.  Jerman. 


192  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Report  of  the  Finance  Committee  disclosed  the  fact 
that  a  small  amount  was  needed  to  complete  the  En- 
dowment of  $10,000.  Pledges  and  donations  were 
received  with  the  full  amount  realized.  The  announce- 
ment of  the  completion  of  the  full  amount  desired, 
met  great  applause  and  went  on  record  as  one  of  the 
notable  features  of  the  1924  meeting  in  Raleigh.  Mrs. 
A.  H.  Powell  of  Oxford,  Chairman  of  Finance,  was 
given  a  rising  vote  of  thanks. 

The  amendments  to  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws 
were  next  discussed  freely  and  fully.  It  was  finally 
decided  to  raise  the  per  capita  dues  from  15  cents  to 
30  cents. 

A  clause  was  added  providing  for  a  Budget,  pre- 
pared annually  by  the  Finance  Committee  to  assign  the 
expenditures  of  the  Federation  funds,  including  dues 
and  interest  from  the  Endowment.  The  increase  in 
dues  and  the  interest  from  the  Endowment  were  sup- 
posed to  justify  the  abolishing  of  pledges  to  numerous 
funds  from  the  floor.  The  Budget  would  provide  for 
those  funds  from  the  general  treasury,  thus  preventing 
the  increased  dues  from  becoming  burdensome,  and 
leaving  more  time  for  discussion  and  for  desirable 
speakers.  On  motion  from  the  floor  the  Sallie  Southall 
Cotten  Loan  Fund  for  the  education  of  girls  was  not 
to  be  grouped  with  other  funds  but  left  for  voluntary 
contributions  from  the  clubs  and  from  interested  in- 
dividuals, and  such  sources  as  presented  themselves 
to  the  chairman  of  the  fund,  including  the  money  from 
the  sale  of  the  booklet,  What  Aunt  Dorcas  told  Little 
Elsie.     The  sale  of  that  booklet  has  no  limit,  and  the 


Twenty-second  Convention  193 

need  by  girls  for  aid  in  securing  education  has  no  limit, 
so  the  chairman  was  left  free  to  add  to  that  fund 
when  assistance  should  be  proffered. 

Miss  Fries  offered  a  resolution  that  the  Loan 
Fund  Committee,  by  action  of  the  Directors,  be  made 
a  Standing  Committee  instead  of  a  subcommittee  of 
the  Education  Department,  and  that  the  Directors 
elect  the  chairman  along  with  others,  and  that  the 
resolution  be  acted  on  promptly  so  the  change  could 
be  incorporated  in  the  proceedings  when  the  Year 
Book  is  published.  The  President  called  a  meeting 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  immediately  after  adjourn- 
ment to  act  on  the  resolution. 

An  amendment  to  omit  the  word  "Auditor"  wherever 
it  occurs  in  the  Constitution,  and  thus  dispense  with 
the  services  of  an  Auditor,  because  the  books  of  the 
Treasurer  are  always  submitted  to  an  expert  account- 
ant was  carried. 

The  afternoon  session  was  given  over  to  reports  of 
the  District  Presidents,  Mrs.  Thomas  O'Berry,  Chair- 
man of  Districts,  presiding. 

The  meeting  adjourned  to  enjoy  two  teas  in  honor 
of  the  delegates  and  visiting  clubwomen.  One  tea 
was  at  Wakestone,  the  home  of  Mrs.  Josephus  Daniels, 
presided  over  by  her  husband,  Hon.  Josephus  Daniels, 
and  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Jonathan  Daniels.  Another 
tea  was  at  the  Woman's  Club  House,  where  Mrs.  Jer- 
man  presided  with  joy  and  pride  over  the  home  she 
had  helped  to  build  for  the  Baleigh  Woman's  Club. 

13 


194  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  evening  session  opened  promptly  in  the  ball 
room  of  the  Sir  "Walter  Hotel,  with  Mrs.  Lenoir  Gwyn, 
First  Vice  President,  presiding.  Again  it  was  Fine 
Arts  Evening  and  the  Silver  Cups  were  on  the  stage, 
and  the  audience  eager  to  hear  the  results  of  the  various 
contests. 

Mrs.  C.  B.  Wagoner,  Chairman  of  Music,  read  her 
report,   and   announced  the   awards. 

The  Duncan  Cup  was  not  awarded,  only  one  number 
being  entered  for  the  contest. 

The  Florence  M.  Cooper  Cup  was  awarded  to  Mrs. 
Elsie  Stokes  Moseley  of  Charlotte.  The  winning  song, 
"The  Evening  Sun,"  was  then  rendered. 

Mrs.  Kufus  Gwyn,  Chairman  of  Art,  read  her  re- 
port and  announced  the  awards.  The  Eobert  Lamar 
Beal  Cup  was  awarded  to  Mrs.  J.  L.  Graham  of 
Winston-Salem.  Prize  of  $5  for  best  interior  was 
awarded  to  Mrs.  Helen  Lamar  Weathers  McCarl  of 
Wilmington.  Honorable  mention  was  made  of  the 
interior  work  of  Mrs.  Bayard  Wootten  of  New  Bern. 

Miss  Marion  Blair,  Chairman  of  Literature,  re- 
ported and  announced  the  awards  as  follows :  The 
Separk  Poetry  Cup  to  Mrs.  Paul  Green,  Chapel  Hill; 
the  O.  Henry  Cup  to  Mrs.  Joy  Kine  Benton,  Sanford; 
Joseph  Caldwell  Cup  not  awarded. 

Thursday  morning  found  the  Virginia  Dare  ball 
room  filled  with  delegates  at  an  early  hour,  Mrs. 
Jerman  presiding.  The  Club  Woman's  Hymn  was  sung 
and  the  Club  Woman's  Collect  recited  in  unison. 

Mrs.  O'Berry  took  the  chair  while  the  unfinished  dis- 
trict  reports   were   read.      She    announced   the   prizes 


Twenty-second  Convention  195 

won  by  districts.  The  Cooper  Gavel  was  presented 
to  Mrs.  Fearing  of  the  14th  District  for  bringing  into 
the  Federation  the  largest  number  of  clubs — eleven. 

The  second  prize,  a  picture  of  Mrs.  Cotten,  was 
awarded  to  Mrs.  Duke  Hay  of  Black  Mountain,  for 
having  brought  in  the  second  highest  number  of  clubs — 
ten.  Mrs.  Hay's  report  was  a  novelty — being  in 
rhyme  and  received  a  good  round  of  applause. 

The  Gilmer  Cup  was  again  won  by  the  new  14th 
District,  and  was  taken  home  in  triumph  by  Mrs.  Fear- 
ing, Chairman  of  that  new  and  growing  district. 

Mrs.  Land,  Chairman  of  the  Loan  Fund,  made  a 
most  satisfactory  report  and  was  given  a  rising  vote  of 
thanks.  The  Fund  to  date  had  assisted  fifty-eight  girls 
and  the  chairman  was  made  happy  by  receiving  pledges 
for  more  than  $1,000  for  the  coming  year. 

The  Credentials  Chairman  reported  347  delegates 
registered. 

The  report  of  the  Nominating  Committee  was  then 
made.  Only  three  new  officers  were  to  be  elected  and 
the  report  was :  First  Vice  President,  Mrs.  Fred 
Bahnson,  Winston-Salem;  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs. 
E.  L.  McKee,  Sylva;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  R.  D.  W.  Con- 
nor, Chapel  Hill. 

There  being  no  nominations  from  the  floor,  upon 
motion  by  Mrs.  Charles  Piatt  of  Charlotte,  the  vote 
was  cast  for  the  three  nominees,  and  they  were  declared 
elected. 

Mrs.  Jane  McKimmon  presented  a  message  from 
the  State  Chairman  of  Home  Demonstration  work  and 
explained  the  plan  by  which  the  rural  clubs  had  been 


196  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

federated.  In  closing  she  asked  for  sympathetic  co- 
operation and  good  feeling  in  working  out  the  details 
of  the  federation  of  the  Home  Demonstration   Clubs. 

Mrs.  R.  R.  Gotten,  in  moving  a  rising  vote  of 
thanks  for  Mrs.  McKimmon,  said  that  of  all  women 
in  and  out  of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  who 
had  worked  for  the  elevation  of  the  home,  no  woman 
had  done  more  to  improve  the  homes  of  North  Caro- 
lina than  Mrs.  McKimmon.  The  motion  was  enthu- 
siastically carried. 

Mrs.  Rosalind  Redfearn  gave  a  report  on  "The 
Cooperative  efforts  between  Home  Bureaus  and  the 
State  Federation."  At  the  close  of  her  remarks  she 
introduced  to  the  Convention  the  delegates  from  the 
Home  Bureaus. 

The  incident  marked  an  epoch. in  the  history  of  the 
Federation.  If  "The  union  of  all  for  the  good  of  all'' 
means  anything,  it  must  mean  more  when  the  rural 
women  and  the  city  women  join  hands  for  mutual 
benefit.  It  meant  the  uniting  in  effort  of  more  than 
50,000  women  with  a  vision  of  sisterhood  in  service 
for  home,  state,  and  nation.  The  possibilities  of  such 
mutual  help  and  understanding  are  too  great  for  ex- 
pression, but  if  love  of  God  and  service  for  humanity 
be  the  aim  of  all  no  one  can  over  estimate  the  ultimate 
results.  It  is  a  visible  proof  that  "great  oaks  from 
little  acorns  grow,"  for  twenty  years  ago  the  mem- 
bership of  the  North  Carolina  Federation  was  not 
more  than  500,  and  a  growth  of  50,000  in  twenty  years 
is  a  phenomenal  development. 


Twenty-second  Convention  197 

Lunch  followed  adjournment,  the  courtesy  of  Rotary, 
Civitan,  Lions  and  Kiwanis  Clubs. 

The  Thursday  afternoon  session  was  held  in  the 
auditorium  of  the  Woman's  Club  House,  Mrs.  Jerman 
presiding.  The  change  of  meeting  place  was  necessary 
to  enable  the  Virginia  Dare  ball  room  to  be  prepared 
for  the  Annual  Federation  Dinner,  given  to  delegates 
and  visiting  clubwomen. 

Many  reports  were  heard,  among  them  one  from  the 
newly  appointed  Budget  Committee,  which  reported  a 
Budget  for  another  year's  expenditures.  It  was  deemed 
a  very  creditable  performance  after  such  short  notice, 
but  shows  how  women  rise  to  meet  a  demand. 

The  Custodian  recommended  the  purchase  of  a  cabi- 
net for  the  safekeeping  of  the  records  and  rapidly  ac- 
cumulating documents  such  as  Minutes,  Year  Books, 
etc.,  belonging  to  the  Federation.  It  was  voted  to  pur- 
chase such  a  cabinet  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed 
to  select  a  proper  place  to  insure  its  safety. 

Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley  moved  that  the  office  of  His- 
torian be  created  and  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten  be  made  the 
first  incumbent. 

In  the  evening  the  Federation  Dinner  was  given  and 
a  feast  of  food  and  "a  flow  of  soul"  was  enjoyed.  The 
ball  room  was  brilliantly  lighted  and  long  tables  with 
many  flowers  on  them,  and  many  happy  beautifully 
gowned  women  sitting  around  them  made  a  scene  not 
easily  forgotten. 


198  Histoby  of  "Women's  Clubs 

Mrs.  K.  R.  Cotten,  Honorary  President,  presided. 
Mrs.  Frank  Harold,  President  General  of  the  U.  D.  C, 
was  an  honor  guest.  She  expressed  great  pleasure  in 
meeting  the  North  Carolina  Clubwomen,  many  of  whom 
were  also  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy,  and  she  knew 
their  value. 

A  group  of  Raleigh  club  members  put  on  a  "home 
talent  play"  depicting  a  club  meeting  25  years  ago, 
which  added  much  hilarity  to  the  occasion.  The  cos- 
tumes, program,  and  procedure  "then  and  now"  made 
it  very  interesting  but  somewhat  grotesque  because  it 
showed  such  a  contrast  between  clubwomen  and  their 
ways,  "then  and  now." 

At  the  close  of  the  dinner,  the  meeting  adjourned 
to  the  State  Theater,  where  Mrs.  Helen  Gardiner, 
TJ.  S.  Civil  Service  Commissioner,  made  a  most  in- 
teresting and  instructive  address  on  "Women  in  Gov- 
ernment Work."  She  was  introduced  by  Hon.  Josephus 
Daniels.  Mrs.  Gardiner  is  well  known  as  an  author 
and  lecturer,  and  was  the  first  woman  appointed  to 
high  governmental  position.  She  urged  women  to  ac- 
cept Government  work,  and  declared  they  were  needed 
in  many  ways.  She  was  much  applauded.  The  newly 
elected  officers  were  then  presented  to  the  audience,  and 
the  evening  session  adjourned. 

The  final  session  of  the  Convention  was  held  in  the 
ball  room  of  the  Sir  Walter  Hotel,  on  May  9,  1924, 
with  the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  meeting  opened  with  assembly  singing. 


Twenty-second  Convention  199 

A  few  reports  were  read  and  some  unfinished  busi- 
ness was  disposed  of  satisfactorily.  The  President 
thanked  the  clubwomen  for  their  cooperation  in  her 
efforts.  Mrs.  Eugene  Reilley  expressed  the  appreciation 
of  the  women  for  the  ability  of  their  leader.  The  Re- 
port on  Courtesies  was  read  and  accepted.  Everybody 
was  happy,  everybody  was  glad  to  be  a  clubwoman. 
The  minutes  of  the  session  were  read  and  approved,  and 
after  singing  "Auld  Lang  Syne,"  the  Federation 
adjourned  sine  die. 


CHAPTEE  XXVTI 
TWENTY-THIRD  CONVENTION 

PlNEHURST 1925 

High  Point  Council — 1924 

The  autumn  Council  Meeting  which  preceded  the 
Pinehurst  Convention,  met  at  High  Point,  October 
23-24,  1924.  The  Executive  Meeting  was  followed  by 
an  elaborate  luncheon  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Owen  Smith. 
At  two  o'clock  Mrs.  Thomas  O'Berry  presided  over  a 
Conference  of  District  Presidents. 

The  Council  proper  began  at  four  o'clock  at  the 
Sheraton  Hotel,  with  Mrs.  H.  D.  Sears,  President  of 
High  Point  Woman's  Club,  in  the  chair.  The  address 
of  welcome  was  given  by  Mr.  T.  Wingate  Andrews, 
and  responded  to  by  Mrs.  P.  R.  Perdue  of  Raleigh. 

The  State  President  was  then  formally  presented 
by  Mrs.  Sears,  after  which  Miss  Lavinia  Engle,  of 
Baltimore,  Md.,  made  an  address  on  "Legislative  Pro- 
grams and  Methods." 

On  Thursday  evening  the  Council  members  were 
the  guests  of  the  High  Point  Woman's  Club  at  the 
presentation  of  the  opera  "Don  Pasquale." 

Priday  was  strictly  given  to  business.  The  discus- 
sion of  the  work  of  the  departments  was  featured  by 
the  presentation  of  more  practical  outlines  for  work, 
free  from  theory  and  giving  definite  concrete  programs 
for  each  department.  It  was  a  most  encouraging  out- 
look for  the  work  of  the  winter. 

[200] 


2  g 


5   CO 


Twenty-third  Convention  201 

The  most  outstanding  matter  discussed  was  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Federation  Bulletin  as  the  official  organ 
of  the  Federation.  The  subject  had  been  much  dis- 
cussed, and  the  ambition  of  the  Federation  President 
was  set  on  the  attainment  of  that  object  during  her 
term  of  service,  but  as  yet  no  adequate  way  of  financing 
it  had  been  found.  At  this  High  Point  meeting  Mr. 
~W.  H.  Livers  of  the  Extension  Department  of  the  North 
Carolina  College  for  Women,  presented  an  offer  from 
his  Department  of  that  College  to  issue  monthly  such 
a  bulletin  for  the  Federation  free  of  charge,  the  clubs 
to  furnish  the  material  through  the  Press  Chairman, 
and  the  Extension  Department  to  print  and  issue  the 
Bulletin,  as  a  contribution  from  the  College  to  the 
club  work. 

The  proposition  was  greeted  with  enthusiasm  and 
accepted  with  gratitude.  Mrs.  Highsmith,  the  Press 
Chairman,  was  made  editor  of  the  Bulletin,  and  Mrs. 
W.  W.  Martin  of  the  North  Carolina  College  for 
"Women  was  elected  Associate  Editor. 

Within  a  month  the  first  issue  was  in  the  hands  of 
North  Carolina  clubwomen,  and  a  long  cherished  dream 
of  a  Bulletin  all  our  own  had  become  a  rosy  reality, 
needing  only  the  cooperation  of  the  clubs  to  make  it 
another  shining  light  in  the  history  of  the  Federation. 
It  at  once  took  its  place  as  a  valuable  asset  in  club 
work.  The  former  bi-monthly  column  of  club  news 
so  generously  given  by  the  North  Carolina  press 
is  not  to  be  abandoned,  but  the  proposed  Bulletin  will 
furnish  a  fuller  and  freer  exchange  of  club  thought 
than  was  possible  in  the  newspaper  column. 


202  Histoey  of  Women's  Clubs 

The  North  Carolina  Federation  is  greatly  indebted 
to  the  North  Carolina  newspapers  for  the  generous 
space  given  it  which  has  enabled  the  Federation  to  reach 
a  large  audience  at  regular  intervals.  Now  with  the 
addition  of  this  monthly  Bulletin,  the  Press  Depart- 
ment has  ample  facilities  for  keeping  the  entire  work 
of  the  Federation  before  its  members. 

It  was  a  memorable  meeting  because  of  the  realiza- 
tion of  a  long  cherished  ambition.  Many  courtesies 
were  showered  on  the  members  of  the  Council,  and  the 
high  tide  of  business  and  pleasure  was  reached  at  the 
High  Point  meeting. 


In  the  midst  of  the  famous  Sand  Hills  of  Carolina, 
Pinehurst  sits  supreme.  Its  attractions  lure  people 
from  far  and  near,  and  the  North  Carolina  Federation 
of  clubs  was  well  pleased  to  accept  the  invitation  from 
the  Woman's  Civic  Club  of  Southern  Pines  to  hold 
its  twenty-third  Convention  at  Pinehurst. 

The  arrangements  for  the  pleasure  and  comfort  of 
the  delegates  and  visiting  clubwomen  were  perfect  and 
a  large  crowd  gathered  for  the  meeting. 

The  Convention  began  on  May  4  at  the  Carolina 
Hotel,  where  all  meetings  were  held.  The  usual  pre- 
liminaries proceeded  while  more  and  more  delegates 
were  arriving. 

The  Executive  Board  met  in  the  Dutch  Room  and 
the   Executive   Luncheon   was   served   in   the   Private 


TwENTY-THIBD    CONTENTION  203 

Dining-room.  The  Trustees  met  in  the  Dutch  Room, 
followed  by  the  meeting  of  the  Directors  in  the  ball 
room. 

In  a  private  dining  room  at  6  p.m.,  the  Past  Presi- 
dents' dinner  was  served,  with  only  five  Past  Presidents, 
Miss  Pries,  and  Mesdames  Cooper,  Alderman,  Hook, 
and  Cotten,  present  to  enjoy  it. 

At  8  p.m.  in  the  ball  room  of  the  Carolina,  the  even- 
ing session  opened  the  Convention.  The  invocation  was 
followed  by  the  singing  of  the  Club  "Woman's  Hymn. 

Hon.  R.  1ST.  Page  gave  a  welcome  from  the  Sand 
Hills.  He  loves  them — they  are  his  native  heath  and 
his  beautiful  heartfelt  tribute  to  them  easily  convinced 
all  that  the  unusual  power  and  ability  of  the  Federation 
President  was  due  to  the  fact  that  she  herself  is  a 
daughter  of  the  Sand  Hills,  with  power  to  bring  suc- 
cess to  all  she  attempts. 

Then  followed  a  welcome  from  the  Fifth  District,  ex- 
pressed by  Mrs.  R.  W.  Allen,  and  from  the  Hostess 
Club  by  its  President,  Mrs.  Charles  R.  "Whitaker.  The 
response  was  made  by  Mrs.  Thomas  O'Berry,  the 
Second  Vice  President  of  the  Federation. 

Then  came  the  President's  address,  full  of  vigor, 
enthusiasm  and  inspiration.  She  recounted  the  achieve- 
ments of  the  Federation  to  the  present  time,  portrayed 
with  clear  vision  the  possibilities  of  the  future,  and 
filled  each  woman  with  a  desire  to  meet  and  develop 
those  possibilities.  She  stressed  the  great  need  of  a 
more  highly  developed  political  consciousness  and  tried 
to  impress  on  her  hearers  the  power  dormant  in  the 
ballot,  which  is  useless  unless  used.     She  named  the 


204  Histokt  of  Women's  Clubs 

outstanding  achievements  of  the  year,  such  as  the  is- 
suing of  the  Federation  Bulletin,  the  completion  of 
the  History  of  the  Federation.  She  strongly  recom- 
mended the  establishment  of  a  permanent  State  Head- 
quarters, where  the  scattered  business  of  the  Federation 
can  be  concentrated,  and  be  known  and  used  by  every 
clubwoman. 

The  Breakfast  Conferences  had  lost  none  of  their 
popularity.  They  began  at  eight  a.m.  Tuesday,  with 
good  attendance  at  each  Conference.  It  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  encouraging  developments  of  the 
work  of  the  Federation,  testifying  to  the  real  interest 
in  the  work  behind  the  pleasures  of  the  convention. 

The  real  business  began  at  9  a.m.  Tuesday,  with  the 
Credentials  Committee  on  duty,  followed  at  10  a.m.  by 
the  regular  morning  session,  with  Mrs.  Jerman  in  the 
chair. 

The  Recording  Secretary  read  a  message  of  good 
wishes  from  His  Excellency  Governor  Angus  McLean. 
She  then  called  attention  to  the  North  Carolina  flag 
at  the  left  of  the  stage,  which  had  been  loaned  to  the 
Federation  by  the  Raleigh  Business  and  Professional 
Woman's  Club,  and  she  moved  that  the  Treasurer  of 
the  Federation  be  instructed  to  buy  a  silk  North  Caro- 
lina flag  to  be  the  property  of  the  Federation  and  to 
be  in  the  custody  of  each  successive  President. 

Business  proceeded  promptly,  reports  following  each 
other  in  quick  succession. 


TWENTY-THIKD    CONVENTION  205 

A  Nominating  Committee  was  elected  composed  of 
Mrs.  Kate  Burr  Johnson,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook,  Mrs. 
Howard  Rondthaler,  Mrs.  Charles  Quinlan,  and  Mrs. 
E.  R.  Cotten. 

The  Credentials  Committee  reported  244  delegates 
registered.  Before  the  adoption  of  the  Treasurer's  re- 
port the  chair  called  for  the  report  of  the  Finance 
Committee  which  was  given  by  its  Chairman,  Mrs. 
Eugene  Davis,  who  also  read  the  statement  of  the 
certified  accountant  who  had  audited  the  books  of  the 
Treasurer. 

Mrs.  Davis  then  announced  the  completion  of  the 
Endowment,  the  full  amount  $10,000  being  in  hand  and 
invested  safely.  She  then  read  the  Budget  for  the  next 
year,  which  was  adopted  and  made  the  following  recom- 
mendations : 

Eirst.  That  District  Presidents  be  allowed  $15  an- 
nually for  District  expenses,  instead  of  $10. 

Second.  That  the  successful  handling  of  the  Budget 
having  left  a  surplus  in  the  treasury,  that  the  sum  of 
$250  be  given  from  the  surplus  to  the  Maintenance 
Eund  for  General  Eederation  Headquarters  as  a  com- 
pliment to  Mrs.  Jerman  who  is  chairman  of  the  South- 
eastern Division  for  the  raising  of  the  Maintenance 
Eund  in  which  all  the  states  participate. 

Both  recommendations  were  adopted.  Mrs.  Jerman 
expressed  her  appreciation  of  the  compliment,  and  her 
pleasure  in  always  seeing  North  Carolina  to  the  front 
with  other  states,  when  big  things  are  done. 


206  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

Mrs.  Gilmer,  Membership  Chairman,  reported  35 
new  clubs,  whose  representatives  were  graciously  wel- 
comed by  Mrs.  Jerman. 

Mrs.  O'Berry,  Second  Vice  President  and  Chairman 
of  Districts,  read  her  report  in  which  she  presented  a 
plan  for  redisricting  the  State,  making  sixteen  instead 
of  fourteen  districts,  and  displayed  a  map>  showing  the 
sixteen  districts,  and  the  sanity  of  the  new  alignment. 
The  plan  was  adopted  with  thanks  to  Mrs.  O'Berry. 

The  report  on  Amendments  to  Constitution  and  By- 
Laws  was  read  by  Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook.  Mrs.  Gotten 
moved  to  authorize  the  Committee  to  make  such  changes 
in  the  By-Laws  as  would  make  them  consistent  with  the 
adopted  amendments,  eliminating  the  words  "Member- 
ship Committee"  wherever  used,  numbering  sections 
properly,  etc. 

Mrs.  Robert  Page  reported  on  Civics,  and  recom- 
mended the  change  of  name  of  her  department  from 
Civics  to  American  Citizenship. 

The  Loan  Fund  was  reported  in  full  by  Mrs.  Land, 
showing  many  girls  receiving  help,  but  the  number  of 
applicants  far  in  excess  of  the  money  available. 

The  Booklet  had  sold  well  and  would  continue  to 
add  some  to  the  Fund,  but  the  need  for  more  money 
to  help  girls  was  immediate.  The  report  was  received 
with  enthusiasm  and  voluntary  pledges  for  $1,400  more 
were  given  to  become  available  at  once.  Mrs.  Land's 
enthusiasm  about  the  Loan  Fund  and  her  girls  always 
meets  an  enthusiastic  response. 


Twenty-third  Convention  207 

Mrs.  Rosalind  Eedfearn  reported  from  Home  Eco- 
nomics Department  and  then  moved  to  change  the  name 
of  that  department  from  Home  Economics  to  The 
American  Home.  The  motion  was  adopted  and  ap- 
plauded for  the  keynote  of  the  Pinehurst  Convention 
was  The  American  Home,  and  the  clubwomen  en- 
dorse every  suggestion  which  looks  to  the  betterment 
of  the  Home.  Mrs.  Eedfearn  then  presented  the  repre- 
sentatives present  from  the  Home  Bureaus.  Mrs.  Jane 
McKimmon  reported  the  cooperation  between  the  Home 
Demonstration  Clubs  and  the  Federation. 

Mrs.  "W.  N.  Hutt  then  introduced  the  speaker  for  the 
afternoon,  Dr.  Louise  Stanley,  of  the  Bureau  of  Home 
Economics  of  the  U.  S.  Government.  Before  presenting 
the  speaker  Mrs.  Hutt  made  a  brief  review  of  the 
history  of  that  Bureau.  Dr.  Stanley  then  gave  a  most 
interesting  address  on  "Uncle  Sam  and  the  Home 
Maker."  She  outlined  the  part  being  taken  by  women 
in  the  work  of  the  various  Departments  and  Bureaus 
of  the  Federal  Government.  She  explained  the  work  of 
each  Division  and  its  relation  to  the  individual  home 
and  urged  the  clubwomen  to  use  the  service  of  those 
agencies  which  existed  for  their  benefit. 

After  that  illuminating  address  the  Convention  ad- 
journed to  enjoy  a  drive  to  Sanatorium,  followed  by 
a  tea  at  Southern  Pines  Country  Club,  the  courtesy  of 
the  Southern  Pines  Civic  Club. 

Pine  Arts  evening  found  the  ball  room  crowded  with 
happy  expectant  women,  Mrs.  P.  P.  Bahnson  in  the 
chair. 


208  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

After  the  usual  assembly  singing,  Mrs.  E.  E.  Ran- 
dolph, Chairman  of  Music  made  her  report  and  an- 
nounced the  awards  as  follows :  The  Cooper  Cup  to  Mrs. 
Charles  "Wagoner  setting  to  music  of  Kipling's  poem 
"When  Earth's  Last  Picture  is  Painted."  The  Duncan 
Cup  was  also  won  by  Mrs.  Wagoner  for  "At  the  Cir- 
cus."   Both  numbers  were  rendered  by  Mrs.  Wagoner. 

Mrs.  Rufus  Gwyn,  Chairman  of  Art,  reported  and 
announced  the  awards  in  her  department. 

The  Robert  Lamar  Beal  Cup  was  awarded  to  Mrs. 
J.  L.  Graham  of  Winston-Salem,  with  honorable  men- 
tion for  Mrs.  Nellie  Sandborn. 

The  best  display  of  hand-painted  china  was  a  vase 
of  original  design,  made  and  decorated  by  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Spiers,  and  won  by  the  Wilson  Woman's  Club.  By 
request  the  vase  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Cotten  to  the 
President  of  Wilson  Club,  whose  new  club  house  was 
awaiting  the  beautiful  vase. 

The  $10  gold  piece,  given  by  Mrs.  Sidney  Cooper 
for  the  best  sketch  in  oil,  was  won  by  Mrs.  G.  D.  B. 
Reynolds  of  Albemarle. 

Then  Mrs.  Randolph  presented  the  Pfohl  Orchestra, 
with  its  seven  instruments  and  composed  of  the  family 
of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  J.  Kenneth  Pfohl  of  Winston-Salem, 
to  demonstrate  what  music  can  mean  in  the  American 
Home.  It  was  exceedingly  entertaining,  unique  and 
artistic.  Each  instrument  contributed  a  solo,  and 
many  numbers  in  unison,  the  harp  being  exceedingly  ad- 
mired. From  the  young  director,  Master  Donald  Pfohl, 
age  eight,  to  the  mother  at  the  piano  and  the  father 
with  his  "cello"  the  entire  performance  was  exquisite, 


Twenty-third  Convention  209 

and  the  grace  and  rhythm  of  Master  Donald's  baton, 
and  the  poise  of  his  acknowledgment  of  the  applause 
indicate  another  coming  musician.  It  was  a  wonderful 
object  lesson  to  music  loving  families  as  to  how  to 
interest  growing  boys  and  girls,  how  to  get  them  in- 
terested in  special  things  at  home  instead  of  the  movies 
and  other  outside  attractions  by  the  solace  of  music. 

An  intermission  was  taken  when  many  met  and  con- 
gratulated the  musical  family.  Then  Mrs.  Bahnson 
restored  order,  and  Miss  Blair  reported  for  the  Litera- 
ture Department,  with  the  awards. 

The  Separk  Poetry  Cup  was  won  by  Mrs.  J.  M. 
Vail  of  Edenton  for  "The  Waits."  The  Joseph 
Caldwell  Cup  was  won  by  Mrs.  Homer  Benton 
of  Sanford,  for  a  story  called  "Capsules."  The 
O.  Henry  Cup  was  also  won  by  Mrs.  Benton  for  the 
humorous  story  called  "In  Search  of  the  Golden 
Fleece."  Having  won  the  cup  three  times,  it  now  be- 
comes the  property  of  Mrs.  Benton. 

The  Pinehurst  Convention  as  it  progressed  seemed 
to  develop  more  and  more  progressive  suggestions,  each 
suggested  change  denoting  betterment.  The  change  of 
Civics  to  American  Citizenship,  the  change  from  Home 
Economics  to  The  American  Home,  the  increasing  and 
changing  the  Districts,  the  perfecting  of  plans  for  the 
Bulletin,  the  completion  of  the  history,  etc.,  all  indi- 
cate activity  which  means  progress.  Then  when  Mrs. 
Leavitt  reported  on  the  book,  Stories  and  Poems  of  the 
Old  North  State,  she  made  a  recommendation  entirely 
in  line  with  those  mentioned.  She  announced  a  satis- 
factory sale  of  the  book — the  printing  paid  for,  and 
14 


210  History  of  "Women's  Clubs 

recommended  that  from  the  profits  derived  from  the 
future  sale  of  the  book,  that  a  Revolving  Book  Fund 
be  created  to  be  used  as  the  Federation  may  decide, 
either  for  a  second  edition  of  the  book,  or  for  another 
volume  of  prize  winning  poems  and  stories,  or  for  any 
other  literary  publication  approved  by  the  Federation. 
The  money  accruing  to  the  Revolving  Book  Fund  to 
be  placed  on  interest,  and  the  Business  Manager  for  the 
next  book  to  deposit  a  like  amount  of  money  in  like 
manner,  the  funds  to  be  turned  over  to  the  Federation 
treasurer.  Recommendations  were  accepted  with 
thanks  to  Mrs.  Leavitt  for  her  fine  work. 

Mrs.  Gotten  reported  the  completion  of  the  History 
of  the  Federation  from  its  organization  to  1925. 

Mrs.  Kate  Burr  Johnson  moved  the  Federation  au- 
thorize a  Publishing  Committee  to  have  the  History 
published,  said  committee  to  be  composed  of  the  re- 
tiring President  and  two  others  to  be  chosen  by  her. 

Then  the  President  presented  to  the  Convention  Mr. 
W.  H.  Livers,  Business  Manager  for  the  North  Caro- 
lina College  for  Women,  whose  interest  in  the  Federa- 
tion has  made  possible  the  publication  of  the  Federation 
Bulletin.  He  said  the  College  at  Greensboro  was  glad 
to  render  this  service  to  North  Carolina  women  and  he 
hopes  to  help  make  it  a  success.  He  urged  the  women 
to  supply  the  Chairman  of  Publicity  with  frequent  re- 
ports of  their  activities.  At  once,  Mrs.  Hook  moved 
that  the  name  of  the  Editor  of  the  Bulletin  be  changed 
from  Chairman  of  Publicity  to  Chairman  of  Press, 
which  was  adopted. 


Twenty-third  Convention  211 

The  President  then  called  on  Mrs.  W.  W.  Martin, 
Associate  Editor  of  the  Bulletin,  who  expressed  her 
great  interest  in  this  new  venture.  She  said  there 
would  be  facilities  provided  for  taking  subscriptions  to 
the  Bulletin.  She  hoped  every  woman  in  North  Caro- 
lina would  take  it  and  READ  it  and  she  would  do  her 
best  to  make  it  worth  reading.  Mrs.  Martin  is  an  ex- 
perienced clubwoman  and  brimming  over  with  true  club 
spirit.  She  was  roundly  applauded  as  also  was  Mr. 
Livers. 

The  final  report  of  the  Credentials  Committee  was 
called  for.  The  report  showed  310  delegates  arid  30 
visiting  clubwomen.  The  Nominating  Committee, 
through  its  Chairman,  Mrs.  Howard  Rondthaler,  pre- 
sented the  following  names  for  vacant  offices :  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  E.  L.  McKee,  Sylva ;  Second  Vice  President, 
Mrs.  E.  H.  "Williamson,  Fayetteville ;  Recording  Secre- 
tary, Miss  Annie  Perkins,  Farmville;  Corresponding 
Secretary,  Mrs.  Rufus  Siler,  Waynesville;  General 
Federation  Director,  Mrs.  Sidney  Cooper,  Henderson; 
Trustee,  Mrs.  Palmer  Jerman,  Raleigh. 

There  being  no  nominations  from  the  floor,  the  vote 
was  officially  cast  for  the  names  presented. 

Those  who  had  not  enjoyed  a  Breakfast  Conference, 
contented  themselves  with  a  Luncheon  Conference  and 
so  all  were  happy. 

In  the  afternoon  Mrs.  O'Berry  concluded  her  dis- 
trict reports  and  announced  the  awards. 

The  Cooper  Gavel  for  the  largest  number  of  clubs 
federated,  was  tied  for  by  Mrs.  J.  W.  Huston  of  the 


212  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

First  District,  and  Mrs.  E.  H.  Williamson  of  the 
Twelfth.  It  was  decided  to  let  each  one  keep  it  for 
six  months. 

Mrs.  J.  E.  McClamrock  of  Greensboro,  Mrs.  F.  H. 
Chamberlain  of  Lincolnton,  and  Miss  Ruth  Burke  of 
LaGrange  tied  for  the  second  prize,  and  were  all 
awarded  a  picture  of  Mrs.  Cotten. 

Mrs.  Fearing  of  Elizabeth  City  won  the  Gilmer  Cup 
for  largest  attendance  at  District  Meeting,  it  being  the 
third  time  she  had  won  it  for  her  district. 

Mrs.  O'Berry  said  that  in  retiring,  her  gift  to  the 
Federation  was  a  complete  Record  Book  of  the  Chair- 
men of  Districts,  and  hoped  her  successor  would  get  as 
full  measure  of  pleasure  from  that  service,  as  she  had 
received.  The  office  of  District  Chairman  brought  one 
in  touch  with  all  the  clubs  as  no  other  office  does,  and 
she  reminded  the  clubwomen  that  the  prosperity  of  the 
Federation  is  dependent  on  the  prosperity  of  the  dis- 
tricts, just  as  the  prosperity  of  a  state  is  dependent  on 
the  prosperity  of  its  counties  and  cities. 

The  Resolutions  Committee  then  reported,  after 
which  a  drive  to  Samarcand  Manor  was  enjoyed. 

An  interesting  feature  of  the  visit  to  Samarcand  was 
the  presentation  to  the  girls  by  Mrs.  Jerman  on  behalf 
of  the  Federation  of  a  check  for  $420,  to  be  used  in 
purchasing  additional  furnishings  for  the  living  rooms 
of  the  girls. 

The  closing  session  of  the  Convention  was  held  on 
Wednesday  evening,  May  6.  It  began  at  seven  o'clock, 
with  the  Federation  Dinner,  Mrs.  R.  R.  Cotten,  Hono- 
rary President,  presiding.     The  invocation  was  made 


TwENTY-TRTBD    CONVENTION  213 

by  Dr.  Sloop,  after  which  every  one  enjoyed  the  dinner 
and  the  social  intercourse  it  permitted. 

The  regular  session  followed  the  dinner,  opening 
with  the  Club  Woman's  Hymn. 

The  speaker  of  the  evening,  Mrs.  Ida  Clyde  Clarke, 
of  the  Pictorial  Review,  was  introduced  by  Mrs.  W.  T. 
Bost.  The  subject  was  "A  New  Woman  Looks  at  an 
Old  World."  An  accomplished  speaker,  a  deep  thinker, 
an  adroit  actress,  she  kept  her  audience  in  convulsions 
of  laughter  by  her  witty  sallies  and  her  accidental  (?) 
hits  at  things  we  all  know  exist  yet  cannot  cure.  It 
was  a  masterpiece  of  witty  sarcasm  veiled  in  a  camou- 
flage of  innocence  and  hard  sense.  Nothing  was  ever 
more  enjoyed. 

An  invitation  from  the  Men's  Clubs  and  Women's 
Clubs  of  Asheville  to  hold  the  next  Convention  in  that 
city  was  presented  by  Mrs.  J.  W.  Huston.  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Brogden  brought  an  invitation  for  the  next  Council 
meeting  to  be  held  in  Durham  and  both  invitations 
were  accepted  with  thanks.  The  Courtesies  were  read 
by  Mrs.  J.  M.  Brown  after  which  the  new  officers  were 
presented. 

Just  as  Mrs.  Jerman  was  about  to  bring  the  gavel 
down  and  declare  the  Convention  adjourned,  she  was 
interrupted  by  the  appearance  on  the  platform  of  Mrs. 
Sidney  Cooper,  youngest  of  the  Past  Presidents  of  the 
Federation.  In  a  few  well  chosen  words  she  welcomed 
the  retiring  President  into  her  inevitable  place  in  the 
Past  Presidents  Club  and  presented  to  her  a  Past 
President's  Bar  Pin  similar  to  those  given  to  the  other 
Past  Presidents  at  Winston-Salem.     Then  Miss  Fries 


214  History  of  Women's  Clubs 

presented  to  the  soon  to  be  Past  President,  the  tiny- 
blue  and  white  "X"  she  had  designed  to  signify  the 
Ex-Presidents,  which  also  had  been  presented  to  the 
other  Past  Presidents  at  Winston-Salem,  also  extend- 
ing words  of  welcome  to  the  new  members.  Then  fol- 
lowed words  of  welcome  from  Mrs.  J.  T.  Alderman, 
Mrs.  C.  C.  Hook,  and  Mrs.  K.  R.  Cotten,  who  all  ex- 
pressed great  pleasure  in  receiving  a  new  member  into 
their  exclusive  club,  each  member  being  required  to 
serve  the  Federation  for  two  years  as  President  before 
being  eligible  to  membership. 

Mrs.  Jerman  expressed  her  appreciation  of  the  wel- 
come accorded  her  in  her  new  place  of  honor.  Then 
the  gavel  fell,  and  a  splendidly  progressive  Convention 
became  an  example  and  a  memory. 


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